Breaking Barriers. Building Champions.
Introduction
Gina Suarez-Malaguti knows firsthand that tennis dreams require more than just talent and determination—they require proper equipment. Growing up in Maracay, Venezuela before moving to the United States at age 13, Gina's journey from passionate young player to celebrated coach embodies perseverance and opportunity.
Her remarkable path led her from earning a scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill—where she became ACC Player of the Year and an All-American with a No. 4 national ranking—to her current position as Associate Head Coach at the University of Virginia. Under her guidance, UVA's women's tennis program has reached its first-ever No. 1 ranking and celebrated multiple championship victories. Inspired by her own experience and the challenges faced by young players in underserved communities, Gina created Soles Served - Zapatos Para Todos.
This innovative program collects gently-used tennis shoes from college programs across the country and distributes them to underprivilaged groups who might otherwise lack access to proper footwear.
The process is simple yet impactful: college teams donate their
barely-worn shoes, which are then assessed, sorted, and delivered to organizations and programs serving underprivileged
communities. Each repurposed pair removes a barrier and makes dreams more accessible. Through Gina's vision, what begins as a simple shoe donation becomes a transformative opportunity—creating paths forward for the next generation of tennis talent.
Ready to join Gina's mission? Contact us today to learn how you can participate!
Partnership with College Tennis Teams
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
Partnership with College Tennis Teams
Soles Served will form partnerships with collegiate tennis programs across the country. These teams will collect shoes that they no longer need or use—whether overused to their standards, replaced, or simply excess footwear—and donate them.
Collection Drives and Shoe Donations
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
Partnership with College Tennis Teams
College teams will be asked to fill a shipping box with shoes according to the measurements provided by Soles Served. Soles Served will assign a regional contact for each collegiate tennis team, who will be responsible for collecting the shoes from each team at a time and location coordinated between the team and regional contact.
Processing and Repurposing
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
After collection, Soles Served will sort, clean, and assess the condition of the shoes. A grading system will be created to determine the integrity of the shoe. Shoes that are still in good condition will be prepared for redistribution. Those that are worn beyond use will be recycled responsibly. These shoes will be distributed to groups
After collection, Soles Served will sort, clean, and assess the condition of the shoes. A grading system will be created to determine the integrity of the shoe. Shoes that are still in good condition will be prepared for redistribution. Those that are worn beyond use will be recycled responsibly. These shoes will be distributed to groups in need and individuals with dreams to change their own life through tennis.
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
Distribution to Tennis Communities and Academies
Soles Served will look to partner with organizations located around the country to provide quality shoes to players in underserved regions. These shoes will be distributed to individuals in need of them, to help them take the next step to their dreams.
Global Reach
While initially focused on the U.S. the program has global potential. With tennis a beloved sport worldwide, especially in regions like Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, Soles Served can scale internationally, helping to bridge gaps in tennis accessibility across the globe.