The Multi-Award Winning
BMABA
OUR ASSOCIATION
WHO WE ARE
The British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA) is a multi-award winning independent martial arts association.
The association promotes participation, effect social change through our foundation and effectively regulates the instruction of martial arts through all of our BMABA registered coaches, clubs and senseis.
For coaches and clubs, our work extends far beyond just guiding best practice. We represent your club and student’s views on a national platform, provide invaluable resources and tools, provision insurance and licensing – and so much more – all under one inclusive, affordable membership package.
Our organisation is a multi-award winning, independent, politics free body that has risen from just £20 of capital in 2012 to the now dominate position of a substantial, influential disruptor in the UK martial arts sector.
Our Fighting Chance Foundation uses martial arts to tackle social inequality, with specific programs tackling knife crime, childhood poverty, violence against women and girls and much more.
We work in conjunction with a number of partners including the Home Office, End Child Poverty Group, White Ribbon, NCVO and more.
We are confident in saying that no other martial arts association is doing for UK martial arts what BMABA are doing right now. Explore our membership to learn more about our award-winning offering.
WE CAN HELP YOUR CLUB GROW
As a member of the BMABA you can access leading insurances, licensing, tools and resources to help you and your club grow. From core essentials such as insurance, DBS checks, qualifications, first aid and more through to business support, a free club website, template documents and forms and even more again; it’s all covered. One place, one membership, one trusted, award-winning name.
FORM OUR BLOG
LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
Explore the latest news, updates and blog posts from our association, specifically for instructors and clubs.
Questions for us? Contact Our Office
Just Some Of Our Membership
Features At A Glance…
Instructor Certification & Licensing
Beautiful & professional instructor, coach & sensei documentation that’s checkable in live time from anywhere in the world.
Learn MoreStudent Insurance & Licensing
Access student public liability insurance, licensing, grade recognition, student resources at some of the industry’s best prices.
Learn MoreMartial Arts Instructor Insurance
Access tailor made, specialist martial arts instructor insurance policy served directly by the BMABA at affordable prices.
Learn MoreFree Instructor Qualifications
Completely free, online level 1 and level 2 instructor qualifications covering the professional aspect of teaching martial arts.
Learn MoreSafeguarding Qualifications
Access the latest safeguarding courses & qualifications for staff, instructors and lead welfare officers - including online, in-person and blended training.
Learn MoreEnhanced DBS Checks
Access Standard and Enhanced checks for you & your staff at affordable prices, with full support and guidance.
Learn MoreFirst Aid Training
Access affordable, accredited first aid training and guidance for both online and face to face courses.
Learn MoreFree Club Website
Access a completely free website that can be built with zero design skills, with full designer support inclusive.
Learn MoreClub Management Support
Access the latest support and guidance on club management, marketing & business support.
Learn MoreLogos & Accreditation Marks
Access professional accreditation marks and logos to show your governing body affiliation. For use online, in-print and clothing.
Learn MoreLocal & National Networking
Access local and national networking opportunities with fellow clubs and instructors, both online and in-person.
Learn MoreStock Grading Certificates
Download fully editable, professional template grading certificates for your club gradings and awards.
Learn MoreTemplate Documents & Forms
Enjoy a growing library of forms & documents to help you with registrations, marketing & business.
Learn MorePrinting & Design
Access affordable printing and graphics design services for everything from leaflets and business cards to certificates and signage.
Learn MoreEducare Online Course Bundle
Access 18+ professional qualifications in everything from first aid to safeguarding hosted by the renowned Educare brand for less than the cost a stand-alone course.
Learn MoreSafeguarding Code For Martial Arts
We can assist clubs in obtaining the Safeguarding Code via a free Club Colours Qualification and support package.
Learn MoreGB Taekwondo Olympic Pathway
We work in collaboration with GB Taekwondo's Olympic Talent Pathway, allowing BMABA clubs to submit aspiring athletes from all styles directly to talent scouts for consideration.
Learn MoreBest Practice Guidance
Access leading support and guidance on health and safety and other best practice measures to help you run your club professionally.
Learn MoreNational Grading Integrity Scheme
Started in 2014, our grading integrity scheme allows clubs to issue certification and grades at club-level without paying us a penny, and can then in-turn access national ratification for those grades. This allows your club to genuinely issue ‘nationally recognised grades’ as standard with your BMABA Membership.
The Most Powerful Member’s Area Of Any UK Martial Arts Association
Split across three systems – MyBMABA, The Instructor Portal and The Help Desk, BMABA boast the industry’s most powerful member’s area. Access communities, forums, resources, tools, insurance, membership records, tickets, web provisions, news and updates across any device – including via our new app – 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Our member’s area ensures you get the most from your membership.
BMABA App
Available on Android and OS devices, the BMABA app allows instructors and clubs – as well as students and parents via a second, separate app – access to the latest updates, resources, guidance, community, forums and loads more. Bring your association, along with all your digital certification – with you in your pocket.
Certification, Insurance & Evidence With You, On The Go.
Access your BMABA instructor’s documentation, student license slips, insurance certification and even you’re own submitted DBS checks, first aid qualifications and other criteria. Our systems provide you with access to all of this documentation on the go, 24/7. Be it from a mobile, our app or a desktop – so you can access, download and share your certification when you need it most.
Proud To Be Politics Free
We know this is a cliche, but we’re really not interested in the squabbling and power struggles that haunt some of our competitors. We believe everyone has an equal right to fair representation and that the association itself should provide a service to clients – not expect our members to be indebted to us.
What Does Our Membership Offer?
The BMABA (British Martial Arts & Boxing Association) is one of the UK’s leading multi-style, independent associations for martial arts and combat instructors, clubs, senseis & coaches.
We’re politics free, completely independent, community led and fiercely committed to the development of our industry, leading the way for change and a modern martial arts industry.
Our membership is renowned as being the most comprehensive offering available to UK clubs and instructors. We don’t just offer certification, nor just insurance. Instead we bundle dozens of tools, features, licensing provisions, insurances and resources into a single membership package.
From a free club website to template documents, grading certificates through to black belt gradings. Networking, printing, syllabus recognition, student insurance; you name it – we’ve got it. One place, one login, one renewal. Simple.
Membership To The BMABA At A Glance;
WE KNOW THAT RESPECT IS EARNED, NOT GIVEN.
WE'RE MULTI-AWARD WINNING FOR A REASON
We’ve featured in newspapers and radio, have won various external accolades and continue to work with a number of high-profile charities and organisations.








“I would like to thank everyone on the BMABA Team that has helped me during my time with what can only be described as the best Martial Arts Association I have ever belonged to and I am proud to be one of its first members. Giovanni, you are an inspiration and entrepreneur for those that embrace a politics-free association, professionally run and a shining example for the rest. Keep up the good work – the recognition is already there and I suspect it will continue. The BMABA is the association that I had hoped and dreamed about to allow me to start teaching self defence with the support and advice I needed, but without the politics and interference I wished to avoid.”

“Someone has answered my gentle prayers and FINALLY designed an organisation that will leave you stress-free in the world of MARTIAL ARTS 🙂
I am so excited to leave my recommendation because words cannot describe how much BMABA means to me and how it has changed everything in my organisation for the better. They are literally representing what we are about here at British MMA in West London, Brentford. We go by ‘Traditional Values with a Modern Approach’. They are so much more and you can take it from me – you’ll never find any other organisation or company doing GREATER things than this team BMABA. For all those who are still traditional and thinking old ways of not changing things around in case there are some concerns. Give me a call from our website or facebook page and I will personally give you a recommendation in why you should change and revamp everything in your club or as an instructor with the BRITISH MARTIAL ARTS & BOXING ASSOCIATION.
We’re here to help with questions and queries.
Access expert guidance and speak with our dedicated team for queries on membership, insurance, eligibility, us or just about anything else you might need.
We’re not based from a kitchen worktop, nor do we employ call centres overseas to answer generic FAQs for us. We have three locations throughout the UK including our Headquarters in West Sussex. BMABA boasts over 1,250sqft of newly refurbished top-spec office space for our dedicated staff and everyone you speak with here – be it via email, live chat, Facebook or phone – is part of the team and not an outsourced agent.
Join More Than 6,500 Like-Minded Instructors & Clubs
We’re one of the largest martial arts associations in the UK with more than 30,000 registered members across thousands of clubs and instructors.
Latest Updates
We have our own offices, not the kitchen table.
There’s nothing wrong with smaller martial arts associations. In fact, we think it’s good for competition and variety. Unfortunately too many are one-man bands run from kitchen tables, and not professional set ups with staff.
We have three locations – Manchester, London and West Sussex. Our HQ has over 1,400sqft of dedicated, bespoke office space for our team of staff and volunteers.
Founded in 2012 by the now Multi-Award Winning Social Entrepreneur & Life-Long Martial Artist
Frustrated by a lack of affordable, professional alternatives to the associations Giovanni Soffietto had dealt with when participating and then teaching Thai Boxing and Karate, BMABA was founded.
Focused on professional standards and ethics rather than belts and titles, BMABA boasts the pedigree of a life-long martial arts expert come award winning social entrepreneur as it’s Chief Executive Officer. It’s fair to say we’re well qualified and backed by an industry giant.
Our Membership Isn’t Just A Piece Of Paper
We have always been focused on providing clubs with everything they need under a single membership, and our range of resources, tools and features delivers exactly that.
From template grading certificates and documents through to a free club website and national club listings. Whether it be advice on club structure and marketing or membership marks and qualifications. DBS checks, first aid qualifications, coaching certificates, instructor licenses, insurance, business plans, equipment, graphics – you named it, we cover it under just one simple, affordable membership.
Beautiful, Professional Certification As Standard
So much of what you do will be judged on the grades, credentials and certification you hold. We get that.
We know parents, students and venues don’t always understand exactly what qualifies you. We help by providing superb, professional certification that ensures you look the part. Be it a Dan Grade, Instructor License or Insurance Document, all of our digital and printed certificates will meet the mark and be accepted across the UK.
Our Profits Fund The Fighting Chance Foundation
All of our eligible profits are donated to the Fighting Chance Foundation to help change lives through martial arts.
From programmes designed to help children in poverty and women & girls at risk of violence through to anti-knife campaigns and disability inclusion work, the Fighting Chance Foundation changes lives through martial arts.
Access The Latest Martial Arts Qualifications
We provide all of our members with a free Level 1 and level 2 Martial Arts Instructor Qualification. We also provide access to more than twenty professional courses and qualifications to help expand our member’s portfolios.
From first aid, safeguarding and coaching through to concussion awareness, club colours and marketing – BMABA are a household name in martial arts for providing high-quality, affordable access to training and qualifications for martial arts.
We Back Our Members, Even During The Darkest Of Times
Our response and support throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic confirmed to the industry the way BMABA treats it’s members.
We provided daily updates, dedicated online training hubs, access to a free COVID instructor qualification, subsidised insurances, a self-funded Covid Recovery Scheme, mediation services with local authorities and interpretations of DCMS policy. We increased our operational hours to ensure a 7 day a week response and invested more than ever in our systems, processes and memberships. This is what an association should be doing for its members we believe. As our slogan goes; “To High Places By Narrow Roads“.
You won't find another UK martial arts association that can offer so much to their members.
Not entirely sure?
Try us for free for 6 months, with no obligation.
There’s absolutely no obligation to commit beyond 6 months. You’ll be able to explore what we offer, our member’s area, all of our licensing options and get a better feel for the BMABA’s service without any obligation to become a full member. We genuinely believe the best way to find out if we’re any good is to try us for yourself.
Switching To Us
We know there’s a lot to think about, and we can help.
We have absolutely no interest in enticing you to switch to BMABA if we’re not the right fit. We know that won’t last and isn’t good for you or us. Instead, we can offer a confidential switching process to help you price up whether or not it’s worth while, whilst also getting answers to any questions you might have.