BENAS

The Michel Kratochvil Berner Nachwuchs Stiftung, known as BENAS, is a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting young tennis talent in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Its main focus is financially disadvantaged players aged 10 to 18, a stage when the costs of training and competition can rise sharply and limit opportunities. BENAS aims to close this funding gap so that promising players can develop without financial circumstances deciding how far they progress.

The foundation provides financial support to individual players and selected youth tennis projects in both competitive and grassroots sport. Applications are assessed according to a player’s potential, competitive status and family finances; eligible categories include regional, supraregional and national-level players. Projects must be nonprofit and connected to tennis in the Bern region. BENAS also raises funds through its network of trustees, ambassadors, partners and donors, and plans events that bring supporters together. The foundation states that all funds awarded go toward youth development.