EST. 2012
OUR STORY
From £20 To A National Movement
How far can £20 really stretch?
For one young martial artist, it reached across the UK — helping build one of the country’s most influential, independent martial arts bodies. Today, the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA CIC) supports more than 100,000 members from all walks of life, across 98+ disciplines, as a multi-award-winning, self-sustaining social enterprise.
But the journey didn’t begin with a strategy deck or seed funding. It began with lived experience — and a deep belief in the power of martial arts to change lives.
A Personal Fight
Our founder, Giovanni Soffietto, grew up in a working-class family in the South West of England. Poverty wasn’t a concept — it was daily life. From the age of 13, Giovanni worked long hours to support his household, which often had to choose between food and electricity. The idea of further education gave way to more urgent priorities.
But through it all, one thing remained constant: martial arts. Introduced to Shotokan Karate at just four years old, Giovanni discovered the discipline, resilience, and mental strength that would shape his future. Over the years, he explored Karate, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Jujitsu and more — all while navigating life’s challenges, building from the ground up.
By 18, he was running his first gym. By 20, with £20 in hand, he founded BMABA.
Giovanni's Background
I was lucky to have been started in Shotokan Karate, aged around 4 years old. Whilst (like most children) I briefly stopped around six years old, I was back the year after and have never stopped training since. I attained my Dan Grade in Karate in c. 2009 but by that point, my love of Muay Thai had firmly taken hold. I spent my teenage years experimenting with Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing and a few others, whilst developing a strong core of Muay Thai and Kickboxing. All-in-all, this would be today what we refer to as 'Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)' although back then, it was usually called 'Freestyle Martial Arts'. I began assisting in classes around 15 years of age, and took over my first gym aged 18 years old. Today, in my 30's, I continue to teach and train in Muay Thai and Self Defence (Protection) and teach a voluntary Kickboxing class for the local schools too.
A £20 Dream That’s Still Changing Lives
Two decades on, the same young man who once started with just £20 and a vision now leads one of the UK’s most respected independent martial arts organisations.
Today, the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA) is more than a governing body — it’s a mission-led social enterprise using martial arts to create real, lasting change across the UK. From tackling childhood poverty and knife crime, to confronting violence against women and girls, bullying, and male mental health, our programmes place martial arts at the heart of social reform.
At the core of BMABA’s work is a simple belief:
That every child has the potential to create change, and that martial arts can unlock that potential.
This conviction drove the launch of BMABA on 17th September 2012, founded by Giovanni Soffietto with nothing more than £20 and a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference. After spending £4.99 on a domain name, Giovanni was left to take on everything — from safeguarding and professional development to design, finance, governance and communications — all while working a physical day job, seven days on, one day off.
What began as a small, community-led organisation has grown into a multi-award-winning body with a dedicated staff team and trustees. Today, BMABA operates from a 2,000 sqft dedicated HQ based out of Petworth, West Sussx — proudly independent, politics-free, and rooted in the communities we serve.
I remember as clear as day when I first started BMABA being told by everyone there wasn't a 'chance in hell' of being evenly marginally successful. Everyone was fast to remind me how long-established the competitors had been in place for, and how it would "take more than £1,000,000 to make a dent". Even my own Father discouraged me from taking the plunge because "how would somebody like [me] do something like that (building a national business)."
Giovanni Soffietto
Built Without Backing. Driven By Purpose.
BMABA’s journey has never been fuelled by grants, loans, or institutional support.
From day one, we’ve been entirely self-funded. Even during the height of the COVID-19 crisis — the only time we formally sought external assistance — support was not forthcoming. Traditional funding routes weren’t an option. With no assets to secure loans and no early investor interest in a grassroots reform of a traditionally closed industry, BMABA was built the hard way: one decision, one challenge, one breakthrough at a time.
Along the way, we were told — repeatedly — that it wouldn’t work. That an independent body could never build a national brand. That we couldn’t develop the technology, attract instructors, or challenge the dominance of long-established associations.
But we did.
Nearly two decades later, BMABA is thriving. From just 12 members in our first year, we’ve grown to support over 100,000 martial artists across the UK. We now operate from a dedicated, state of the art office, employ a team, and generate seven-figure annual revenues, entirely through ethical, community-focused services — without a penny in rigid outside funding.
What’s more, through our programmes — led directly from within BMABA CIC — we now deliver nationwide initiatives focused on poverty, violence, inequality, and safeguarding, proving that martial arts can be a force for positive, lasting change.
A Legacy Forged By Community. A Future Shaped By Purpose.
The story of BMABA reflects everything martial arts teaches: resilience, humility, discipline, and the courage to keep going — especially when the odds are stacked against you. From humble beginnings, our journey has been shaped not just by vision, but by the collective strength of thousands of instructors, clubs, and members who believed in doing things differently.
Together, we’ve built more than an association — we’ve built a movement. One that champions grassroots martial arts while tackling some of the UK’s most urgent social issues: knife crime, poverty, violence against women and girls, bullying, and more. Whether through national programmes or local partnerships, we’re breaking down barriers to participation and redefining what martial arts can mean for society.
BMABA is here because we’ve had to deliver — consistently, without shortcuts or subsidies. Whether your club is large or small, new or established, you’ll find in us a partner that values your trust, supports your growth, and puts purpose above politics.
Our governance is rooted in fairness. Our ethos is rooted in belief — belief in the underdog, belief in opportunity, and belief that anyone can do something extraordinary.
Where we go from here will be shaped by our members. Because no club is too small to make a difference, and every voice has a place in shaping the future of martial arts.
What we do know is this:
The principles that started BMABA — refusing to accept defeat, believing in better, and harnessing the power of technology for good — will continue to drive us forward. And as we look to the next decade, we’ll keep doing what we’ve always done: leading with integrity, serving with purpose, and fighting for a martial arts sector that truly works for everyone.
Men's Health Inspirational Coach of the Year
Giovanni was named Men's Health Inspirational Coach of the Year and the "Black Belt Mentor" for his work changing the lives of so many through martial arts. His background in Shotokan Karate and Muay Thai Boxing has been instrumental in this process.
In addition to his extraordinary passion for martial arts, which started at the age of 4 in his first Karate lesson, Giovanni is now in receipt of multiple entrepreneurial awards recognising is outstanding contributions to the world of not for profit social enterprise.
