We’re confident there’s no other martial arts association on the market that can offer your club what BMABA can.
We provide clubs with everything they’ll ever need in one place. From support growing, insurance, DBS checks and first aid training through to marketing software, club management tools, template documents, a free club website and hundreds more resources. Strictly politics free, and ran as a professional trade body – not a boys club.
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 and have one dozens of awards, including the Home Office’s #knifefree project, Men’s Health, The Independent and Sport England.
We care certain there is no other independent martial arts organisation able to challenge what BMABA offers.
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.
We offer a credible and professional home for martial arts instructors and clubs from more than 180 styles and disciplines. See our accreditation and awards.
Our membership isn’t just a piece of paper. It can include insurances, licensing, affiliation, certification, tools, resources and more all under one annual renewal date.
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LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
Explore the latest news, updates and blog posts from our association, specifically for instructors and clubs.
Access the latest safeguarding courses & qualifications for staff, instructors and lead welfare officers - including online, in-person and blended training.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dozens Of Resources & Tools To Help Your Club Grow
From a free club website, marketing advice and business support through to template risk assessments, stock grading certificates and printing – our membership provides you with access to dozens of resources and tools to help you grow your club and retain students.
Comprehensive Certification & Licensing
From instructor certificates and recognition of grade documentation through to vocational Dan gradings, syllabus licensing, instructor licenses and more; our membership provides access to fully comprehensive licensing provisions.
Affordable Insurance & Core Provisions
Access affordable instructor, student and club insurance, as well as access to discounted first aid training, enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding qualifications and more, exclusively for BMABA clubs and instructors.
No Politics, No Egos, No ‘Who’s-Who’
We’ve been strictly politics free since 2012 and pride ourselves on running a community led organisation on the sound principles of good governance and genuine transparency.
Freedom To Run Your Club, Your Way, With Our Backing
You remain able to run your club with absolute independence, free of interference. What’s more, you’ll be backed up by our multi-award winning governing body with certification, licensing, endorsement, business support and more as standard.
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.
Ali Hasanzade
British MMA
We’re here to help with any questions or 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.
Recommended
01798 306546
We’re always happy to speak with new and current members by phone.
Lines are generally staffed between the hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Thursday. Occasionally you may not be able to reach us if we’re all tied up elsewhere (you’re calling a real office, not a call-centre!) but we provide an answer phone service 24/7. Please leave a message and we’ll be happy to call you back as soon as we’re free.
(We’re a modern organisation, so we welcome your enquiry via email, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Twitter and various other channels. See how you can reach us.)
From appearing on BBC Radio and national newspapers, to winning industry-specialist awards and working closely with organisations such as the Home Office, we’re one of the most credible names in UK martial arts. Learn More.
We’re a certified social enterprise, which means every penny spent with BMABA not only supports Fighting Chance Foundation, but also helps tackle climate change, plant trees and fund clean water projects around the world. Learn More.
We have our own offices, not just the kitchen table.
Let’s be clear; 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. Worst still, they’re made to look as if they’re bigger and more recognised than they truly are, which puts your club at risk.
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. He’s also been awarded Men’s Health Coach Of The Year for his work setting up the Fighting Chance Foundation.
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.
Club Colours Award That Meets Sport England’s Mark
Our Club Colours Award process not only issues a ‘school of excellence’ mark to clubs who hold it, but the safeguarding oversight has been approved by Sport England and allows us to automatically issue the ‘Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts’ award to every club that holds our ‘tick mark’.
We receive zero funding to run this, but we ensure it’s completely free for every single BMABA member to access.
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.
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 and we’ve doubled-down during the cost of living crisis, too.
During COVID 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“.
Moving forwards into the ‘cost of living crisis’ we’re continuing to provide an unbelievable level of support to clubs by ring-fencing pricing at 2019 levels, providing additional discounts and funding grants to smaller clubs, introducing new resources, boosting marketing for clubs and so much more.
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.
Stunning Printed Certification & Instructor Pack
This membership option includes our beautiful and professional instructor certification in printed format as part of your Instructor Pack. You’ll receive all of your documentation on 220gsm woven certificate paper, embossed, foiled and stamped to ensure premium documentation that sets you apart from the competition.
Unrivalled Support Setting Up & Growing Your Club
Whether your ambition is to start a small not for profit club or to build up the next national franchise, our range of business support, online courses, resources, tools, template excel spreadsheets, expert articles and more will help your club thrive.
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.
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.
Access To Qualifications & Training
We’re always building on our library of industry-leading awards and qualifications. This includes our Level 1 and Level 2 instructor qualifications, our Safeguarding & Lead Safeguarding qualifications, our First Aid Award, Club Colours Award, Club Management Qualifications and so much more.
Student Management Software
We provide you with access to exclusive student management software which will help you track attendance, see student details, show your class schedule, accept online bookings, run a club shop, update your members with club news, run a member’s only area and so much more. All completely free of charge.
Shop St. Provided Free Of Charge
Shop St. is a premium app that provides access to huge discounts across hundreds of retailers, restaurants and stockists. It’s usually exclusively for employees of large organisations but we’ve secured access for our members, and we’ll foot the bill for you too.
Free Designated Safeguarding Lead Service
We know Safeguarding can be a difficult area for smaller clubs to field, and that’s why we’ve stepped up to the plate to offer a completely free designated safeguarding lead service. This allows your club to designated BMABA as the welfare officer, which means we’ll deal with all your safeguarding concerns, questions and referrals.
More Than £1,250 Of Premium Services & Tools
From template grading certificates, safeguarding policies and club registration forms to our online logo designer, club accreditation marks and premium club finder listings. It’s all inclusive and wrapped up into your membership fee so you can access more services with us than anywhere else without paying a penny more.
National Referrals From ASDA, Yeo Valley & More
We’ve secured an exclusive contract with a national marketing company that means BMABA is the only martial arts association to serve a number of national retailers who reward their customers with free sports lessons. We’ll be fielding referrals from a number of national organisations such as ASDA as the only martial arts provider for their customers when redeeming loyalty points.
Everything You Need For An Online Presence
Access hundreds of pounds of hosting provisions and tech services as part of your membership. From AWS specialist managed wordpress hosting and free site migrations (if you already have a WordPress website) to a premium drag and drop site builder, all inclusive with your own domain name, email and tech support if you need it.
Your Membership Makes A Difference
We’re a social enterprise. This means your fees don’t go into the back pocket of a self-appointed 10th Dan. We plant trees to fight global warming, we fund clean water projects to save lives in developing nations and we make sure your membership to us, and our organisations’ operations are Carbon Neutral. We also donate all of our profits to the Fighting Chance Foundation to help them change lives in the UK through martial arts.
Club Colours Award Included
Enjoy open access to our Club Colours Qualification and the associated Award, which makes your club a ‘School of Excellence’. Our Club Colours Award, which looks to ensure clubs are up to date and compliant with best practice and safeguarding is of such a high standard it will automatically entitle clubs to be awarded (or renewed on) the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts on completion.
Marketing & Design Software
We’ve invested heavily in software and tech to help clubs perform better online. Included in your membership is access to our flagship and industry-exclusive design and marketing software. Effortlessly create leaflets, business cards, brochures, certificates, banners and so much more with our online editor and software suite.
Plus So Much More
Our membership never stands still. From the latest tech to more template documents and certificates, martial arts fitness and nutrition recipe books to safeguarding training and qualifications – we’re always adding to what BMABA offers and it’s always wrapped up in the idea of ‘one membership, one price’.
You won't find another UK martial arts association that can offer so much to their members.
Try us for free for 12 months, with no obligation.
There’s absolutely no obligation to commit beyond 12 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.
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.
