Leeds schoolgirl, eight, in finals of Top Trumps contest

16 June 2016 ....... Leeds schoolgirl Roisin Munnelly, pupil at Holy Name Catholic Voluntary Academy in Cookridge, is the YOUNGEST child in the UK bidding to make the Grand Finals of National Top Trumps Schools Tournament, which takes place next weekend. Picture Tony Johnson

An eight-year-old schoolgirl is one of three youngsters from Leeds who have played their cards right to reach the UK Top Trumps finals.

Roisin Munnelly, of Cookridge, is the youngest player in country set to compete in next weekend’s Grand Finals of National Top Trumps Schools Tournament.

Rosie, a pupil at Holy Name Catholic Voluntary Academy, Cookridge, has emerged as one of only 12 youngsters to make next Saturday’s prestigious finals at Planet Earth and Beyond in Birmingham.

Also set to compete in the finals are nine-year-old Rothwell Primary School pupil Harvey Stockhill and Leigha Sunderland, who attends Strawberry Fields Primary School, Garforth.

Roisin hones her skills playing against her brothers Daniel, four, and Vincent aged 10. Picture Tony Johnson

The tournament is themed around ‘Space’ and to reach the finals Roisin had to first become school champ before entering a national online competition where she saw off thousands of primary school youngsters to make the final 12.

The event began in March and more than 2,500 UK primary schools entered the contest.

Her mum Clare, said: “We are so very proud of Roisin. She has dedicated a lot of time and effort to the Top Trumps Tournament and we are delighted to see that all her hard work has paid off.

“We are looking forward to cheering her on at the Grand Final and Roisin is super excited. Her top two tips are practice at home with your brothers and don’t be put off if you lose a game.”

Cheryl Shaw, learning Mentor at Holy Name Catholic Voluntary Academy, said: “The Top Trumps Tournament is a great way to mix learning with fun and all our pupils that entered really enjoyed taking part.

“We are delighted that Roisin is representing our school in the Grand Finals as she such a good example of pupils from our school with her enthusiasm, dedication and determination.”