BMABA Unveil Industry’s First Maternity Cover Provision
We understand that pregnancy can be a really difficult time for many of our female members and that’s why BMABA are proud to unveil the industry’s first ‘maternity cover’ provision to assist in providing flexibility during this crucial time.
For many women who teach as a sole instructor the matter of maternity can be tricky. Stopping classes entirely for a period of many months can cause havoc for clubs and often months worth of membership and insurance are forfeited as a result. In larger clubs it can also present a logistical and financial challenge as stand-in instructors are often required to take up a whole year’s cover even if they’re just making use of a partial contract.
What Are We Introducing?
BMABA are introducing the industry’s first ‘maternity cover’ for martial arts instructors. We’re going to be providing one of two options. Which option is chosen rests entirely upon the club, as they so please;
- Maternity ‘Leave’
For clubs in which no cover is available, we’ll pause memberships and insurances for up to 15 months completely free of charge. During this time the instructor may still continue to access her portal, membership, community, resources, CPD and qualifications to ensure their time off the mats doesn’t hinder their return in the months ahead. When the instructor is ready to return, we’ll ensure a smooth and seamless transition back into active cover for the remainder of the membership period at hand.
For Example: If a lady joins us in January and in July, 6 months into membership, produces proof of pregnancy, we’ll pause their membership and insurance with 6 months remaining for up to 15 months, meaning she can return to teaching with 6 months of full cover and membership as late as September the following year.
- Maternity Switch
If preferred, the instructor may pass her cover and membership to another instructor for up to 12 months, returning to their remaining period of membership and insurance. This is particularly useful if a small club will be drafting in a relief instructor, or in larger clubs where a multiple instructor team may want to find on-going cover.
For Example: If a lady joins us in January and in July, 6 months into membership, produces proof of pregnancy and opt to bring in a relief instructor, they can provision a full year’s membership and insurance for that additional instructor, after which the instructor on maternity may resume their remaining 6 months cover.
We’re funding this entirely ourselves without any external support because we believe, intrinsically, providing a 21st century option for martial arts clubs is desperately needed.
Who Can Access This, and How?
Maternity cover is provided free of charge to every single instructor on our books. There’s no eligibility criteria other than proof of pregnancy through official documentation – such as an NHS Maternity Exemption Certificate.
Instructors can discuss their options with us and make a maternity request from within MyBMABA, our member’s area, and by live chat, phone call or support tickets.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
