murphy bear books

Tampa Tennis Storyteller Moynihan Named USTA Florida July Volunteer of the Month

July 26, 2012 02:14 PM

Maura Moynihan tells tennis' story.

Literally.

For the last four years, since the publication of her first book, "Murphy Bear's Tennis Lesson," the Tampa native and tennis teaching pro has been introducing young children to the game, not only on the court but through her children's picture books.

Since 2009 she has been a regular at the USTA's Arthur Ashe Kids' Day (AAKD), held the weekend prior to the start of the US Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., reading as a volunteer to children at the event. This year she was again invited to the AAKD event on Aug. 25.

"I was very honored to be invited to be a volunteer to read my books at Arthur Ashe Kids Day in 2009, '10 and '11 and coming up," Moynihan says. "I'm introducing tennis to families I have never met. Locally, I read aloud with a tennis activity in libraries and schools. It is exciting and rewarding to share tennis through my stories."

Since the release of her first book she has also authored "Murphfit Bear Visits the US Open," and "Learn 10 and Under Tennis." Her books are sold on the Amazon and Barnes & Nobles websites, and on TennisWarehouse and other outlets. She donates books to schools, libraries and tennis event fundraisers, such as the Chris Evert Pro/Celebrity Tennis Event in Delray Beach, and the Williams YMCA Joshua Watkins Tennis Tournament in Jacksonville, where proceeds honor a lost US soldier.

Moynihan experiences tennis on many levels as a USTA League senior player, an instructor, and an author. But "Coach Maura," as she's known to the children she works with, experiences children and kids picking up the lifelong sport of tennis through storytelling as her greatest joy.

"I love sharing my knowledge of my favorite sport, and it is very rewarding to see children having fun, learning the game and keeping fit," Moynihan says.

USTA Florida congratulates Tampa's Maura Moynihan as the July 2012 Volunteer of the Month for sharing her love of tennis with children, both on the court and through her stories.

ABOUT MAURA

Birthplace: Syosset, Long Island, NY
Family Members: daughter, Erin; son, Gavan; grandsons Connor and Dillon; Pug (dog), Angel...I have three older brothers and two younger sisters
Favorite Movie: Fantasia
Favorite Food: Japanese
Favorite Travel: Sandy Cove, Ireland
Favorite Shot: Volley

If I could play tennis with three people, they would be..."Chris Evert, Andre Agassi and Rafa Nadal."

When I am not playing tennis I am..."teaching tennis, marketing my children's tennis picture books, creating, writing and maintaining my small business, Murphy Bear Books LLC. I walk my pug, practice yoga, swim and do a little ballroom dancing. I have family get-togethers. We all enjoy being outdoors, eating healthy and playing smashball or 10 and Under Tennis at the beach."

My best-ever tennis memory was..."when I played tennis with my mother, my aunt who was visiting from Ireland, and my three older brothers. It was on clay courts at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club. We had so much fun. Great competition with lots of laughs!"

Maura Moynihan is a writer, tennis pro, certified by the USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association), and a certified RYT yoga teacher. She attended LIU New York, graduated with honors - BS degree in Elementary Education and was on the LIU Women's Varsity Tennis. Maura was a USTA (United States Tennis Association) volunteer coach for her daughter and son's USTA teams.

She loved to write at a young age and was praised in school for her poetry and writing assignments. She joined the SCBWI (The society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) to further her skills. For many years she studied with the Tarpon Springs Writer's Group in Florida
Maura adores the country of Ireland, where most of her relatives live. She is one of six children. As well as being an avid athlete, meditation, music and living God's word is part of her life. 'I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,' gives her direction and perseverance. Maura lives in East Florida with a fantastic family and a precious pug.

Related Links:

Build A Bear Workshop

The Vic Braden Tennis College

Evert Tennis Academy

Amazon

United States Tennis Association