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We Help Martial Arts Clubs Grow

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling an established academy, we give you the tools, support and strategy to grow with confidence.

Running A Club Can Feel Isolating. You’re Not Alone.

Whether your idea of growth is a few new students each month or a full-time academy bursting at the seams, we’re here to help you build a sustainable, well-supported foundation for success. No gimmicks, just real, practical solutions built by people who understand your world.

We understand the pressure that comes with running a martial arts club: the responsibility, the admin, the expectations. That’s why BMABA CIC offers more than just membership. We provide the infrastructure, expertise, recognition and resources to help your club grow long-term, at your pace, in your style.

From marketing and retention to compliance, tech and funding support, we’ve helped thousands of instructors build thriving communities, and we’re ready to help you do the same.

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  • 01 / Website & TechA professional online presence without the price tag. Every membership includes dedicated time with our expert development team: a new website, a rebuild, or a transfer from any provider, handled for you, worth thousands and included.
  • 02 / Management & BillingComplete club infrastructure, completely free. Our award-winning Club Management Platform handles student records, safeguarding logs, medical and SEND information, billing, attendance, grading, scheduling, accounting and more. Unlimited and included.
  • 03 / Proper GovernanceConfidence, compliance and credibility. We help you get DBS checks, safeguarding, insurance, qualifications and first aid in place, then show you how to present it professionally, with certified awards like Club Colours and RegulationReady.
  • 04 / Tools & ResourcesEverything you need to save time and scale up: instant digital risk assessments, downloadable certificates, the AI-powered lesson planner, design tools, and 70+ policy templates. Your launchpad, whatever your size.
The Growth Engine

Growth Is Three Jobs. We Equip You For All Of Them.

Every thriving club does three things well: attracts new students, keeps the ones it has, and turns a class register into a community. Everything we provide maps to one of those jobs.

01

Attract

Be found, look professional, and make trying your club effortless.

  • Professional website, built and hosted free
  • SEO toolkit & website analytics
  • National club directory listings
  • Free taster session booking tools
  • Marketing toolkit & design software
  • Accreditation marks parents can verify
02

Retain

Give students visible progress, recognition, and reasons to stay.

  • Grade & belt progression tracking
  • Lifetime Student Grade Register recognition
  • Professional certificates & licence slips
  • Student & parent portals
  • Annual club membership fee model, made legitimate
  • Optional Personal Accident protection
03

Build Community

Turn a register of names into a club people belong to.

  • Events, gradings & tournament management
  • Broadcast email & communications tools
  • Parent engagement & digital waivers
  • Club Colours, celebrated publicly
  • A national community of 6,500+ instructors
  • Free event licensing for club competitions
No Catches

Free Affiliate Membership. Not A Trial. No Clock.

We believe you deserve to see first-hand what it feels like to be supported by an organisation that genuinely has your back. Plenty of clubs have been let down by associations that overpromised and underdelivered, so we’d rather show you than sell you. Affiliate membership is completely free, with no obligation, ever. Explore everything for as long as you like, and upgrade only if and when our paid tiers have earned it.

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Club Management Award

The business skills nobody taught you

Most instructors reach a point where the coaching is not the problem. Pricing, retention, administration and knowing which numbers matter are, and they are learnable rather than innate. Two levels, both written for martial arts clubs specifically.

Club Management Award Level 1 certificate
Level 1 · Foundations

Getting the club set up to last

A practical grounding in the mechanics of setting up and running a club, taken from the idea through to a structure and a business plan that actually holds.

  • Setting up your club Legal structures, registration, insurance, safeguarding and DBS requirements before you teach.
  • Financial fundamentals Pricing, tracking income and outgoings, and reading a simple profit and loss statement.
  • Attracting and keeping students Club identity, the marketing that actually works, and turning an enquiry into a member who stays.
  • Day to day operations Scheduling, venue, equipment, administration, data protection basics and professional habits.
Club Management Award Level 2 certificate
Level 2 · Development

Running it with strategic intent

For instructors with the club off the ground who want to plan rather than record, manage people rather than work alongside them, and decide deliberately where it is going.

  • Financial development VAT, PAYE, Making Tax Digital and planning beyond the current term.
  • Legal and governance UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act in depth, contracts, waivers and liability.
  • Employment and people Employment status, statutory rights, automatic enrolment and health and safety duties.
  • Marketing and long-term planning Growth strategy, positioning and where the club should be in five years.

Both are CPD awards, not a substitute for professional advice, and they say so throughout. They draw on HMRC, Companies House, the ICO, ACAS, The Pensions Regulator and other primary sources, note the date any figure applied, and tell you plainly when to take qualified advice instead. A community club running to break even is treated as no less legitimate than a full-time commercial academy.

See The Full Qualification Range

Three standards, and they build on each other

Most associations offer a logo. These are assessed positions, and the third of them is national recognition we are authorised to issue directly.

RegulationReady award mark
The framework

RegulationReady

The most comprehensive governance framework in UK martial arts, and it does not sit still. It assesses your club continuously against your own live data across safeguarding, vetting, qualifications, insurance, risk and record keeping. Where you fall short it names what is missing. Where you meet the standard, the mark issues automatically.

Explore RegulationReady
BMABA Club Colours award badge
The award

Club Colours

Our flagship award, and the closest thing independent martial arts has to a school of excellence licence. Assessed against safeguarding, governance, professional conduct and student welfare, with passmarks and evidence handled through your dashboard rather than a paper submission. Deliberately harder to earn than membership.

Explore Club Colours
Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts mark
National recognition

Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts

Our frameworks are mapped directly against the Safeguarding Code and formally approved by Sport England, which makes us the only independent martial arts body able to issue recognition under the Code directly. Eligible clubs earn it through MyBMABA automatically, with no third-party submission and at no cost.

How recognition works

Sport England lists the Safeguarding Code on its own safeguarding pages. A club displaying recognition under it is making a claim that somebody else has checked, which is precisely what makes it worth displaying.

Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised

ICO Registered CIMSPA Training Provider Partner ISO 9001:2015 certified under UKAS accreditation ISO 27001:2022 certified under UKAS accreditation Armed Forces Covenant signatory CPD Approved UK Register of Learning Providers Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts Cyber Essentials certified Good Governance Recognition Social Enterprise UK Sport England Sport and Physical Activity Sport and Recreation Alliance Martial Arts Safeguarding Group ASPP Disability Confident Committed Ecologi climate positive workforce End Child Poverty coalition charity: water supporter Child Rescue Alliance UKRLP registered MARSC Approved Association Home Office Knife Free campaign Anti-Bullying Alliance As featured on BBC Radio 4 As featured on BBC News As featured in The Guardian As featured in The Sunday Times As featured in Men's Health World Sports Awards

See Where & How We Add The Greatest Value

Every club is at a different point on the journey. Find yours.

Stage One

Start-Up Clubs

Launching a martial arts club is one of the most exciting, and overwhelming, things you can do. In the early days it can feel like everything needs doing at once: website, social media, insurance, safeguarding policies, registering students, and planning your first few classes. We know how hard that is, which is why BMABA offers the most comprehensive start-up support in UK martial arts.

  • AI-powered lesson planning to build your first class plans with confidence
  • Digital risk assessments plus pre-approved safeguarding policies, registration forms and waivers, ready out of the box
  • A completely free, all-in-one Club Management Platform for billing, attendance, finance and communications
  • Full guidance for enhanced DBS checks, plus safeguarding, first aid, insurance and club finance qualifications for your founding team
  • A professional website designed and set up by our in-house team, integrated and ready to take bookings from day one

During pre-launch you’ll have specific, niche questions, legal, tech, marketing or admin. Reach us by live chat, email, WhatsApp, Messenger or phone. You focus on delivering great martial arts; we’ll take care of the rest.

Stage Two

Small & Medium Clubs

As your club grows, the opportunities increase, but so do the demands. It’s the phase where your reach, reputation and student experience can solidify your place in the community for years. That’s where we help you unlock your next level.

  • Broadcast marketing and lead management tools to fill your timetable
  • The Club Management Platform gives you the digital infrastructure to manage members and scale without the stress
  • Verified safeguarding and compliance support, plus syllabus accreditation by our in-house experts
  • Achieve Club Colours and automatically earn Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts certification, showing parents your club is safe, ethical and future-proof

Everything you need to take your club to the next level is included in your membership. No bolt-ons, no extras, just real support.

Stage Three

Larger Clubs & Franchises

Running a large club, multi-site organisation or national franchise? You’re in safe hands. We provide robust, scalable support tailored to high-capacity clubs, from heavily discounted instructor, student, club and association insurances through to white-label solutions that let you offer BMABA qualifications and CPD under your own banner.

  • Volume pricing across instructor, student, club and association insurance
  • White-label qualification and CPD delivery under your own brand
  • WordPressByBMABA hosting to eliminate web infrastructure costs
  • Centralised billing, attendance, compliance and staff oversight across multiple locations

Partnering with BMABA means a competent, forward-thinking governing body that understands scale, and actively helps you grow it.

Interactive

Explore The Toolkit By What You’re Trying To Do

Resources, tools, platforms, guidance and frameworks, all included with membership. Filter by the job at hand.

Free Club Website Designed, migrated and hosted by our team
SEO & Analytics Toolkit Get found on Google and see what’s working
National Club Listings Your club in front of searching students
Taster Session Bookings Frictionless trials that convert
Marketing & Design Tools Professional promotion without an agency
Grade & Belt Tracking Visible progress students train for
Lifetime Student Grade Register National recognition that follows the student
Certificates & Licence Slips Stunning documentation for every milestone
Student & Parent Portals Everyone connected to the club, always
Broadcast Communications Email and updates that keep people engaged
Club Colours Award Safeguarding excellence parents can see
RegulationReady Framework Governance checked dynamically against live data
Safeguarding Code Certification Sport England approved recognition, issued free
CIMSPA-Aligned CPD Library From safeguarding and first aid to trauma-informed coaching
Enhanced DBS Checks Guided, supported, done properly
70+ Policy Templates Pre-approved and ready out of the box
Lesson Planner & Pedagogy Class plans in minutes, not evenings
Digital Risk Assessments Compliance without the paperwork
Billing & Payments Automation Direct debits, invoicing and reporting handled
Accounting & Budgeting Club finances in one honest view

Every item above is included with membership. Nothing here is a paid add-on.

The Smarter Way To Run Your Club

Club membership should be the backbone of your growth, the standard-bearer for your governance, and the engine behind your success. Four reasons ours is different.

1

Affordable, Scalable & All-Inclusive

One clear price with no hidden extra charges for multiple venues, styles or disciplines. Whether you’re just starting or managing 300 students, membership grows with your club, not against it.

2

Membership + Infrastructure, One Package

From the full Club Management Platform and template libraries to safeguarding resources, learning tools and qualification pathways, it’s all included. We don’t gatekeep the essentials.

3

Purpose-Built, Not Generic

Built by martial artists for martial artists. Every tool, policy, qualification and framework is crafted specifically for combat sports and traditional martial arts, not borrowed from another sector.

4

Regulated, Respected & Instructor-Led

Certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, regulated by the CIC Regulator, and trusted by more than 6,500 instructors nationwide. Self-funded, community-focused, and serving martial artists, not shareholders.

Framework & Recognition

The Recognition Ladder That Converts Parents

Growth isn’t just marketing; it’s trust. Our framework turns your governance into public, verifiable recognition that makes choosing your club the easy decision.

  1. Step 1

    Join & Get Compliant

    Insurance, DBS, safeguarding and first aid in place, with templates, guidance and a team walking you through it.

  2. Step 2

    RegulationReady

    Your safeguarding, leadership and compliance checked dynamically against live data, with instant certification and complete transparency.

  3. Step 3

    Club Colours

    The gold standard for safeguarding and professionalism in martial arts, publicly celebrated and independently checkable.

  4. Step 4

    National Recognition

    Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts certification, approved by Sport England and issued directly through MyBMABA, automatically and free. Display the logo parents are told to look for.

Every rung is included with membership, and every claim on it is verifiable by any parent, school or venue.

Free Club Management Platform

Growth Attendance Payments Leads Gradings Marketing Sorted.

Included in every membership at no extra cost, our platform replaces dozens of paid tools: billing, attendance, grading, safeguarding, certificates, scheduling, prospect and lead management, broadcast marketing and more, saving clubs hundreds every month while boosting professionalism. No per-student fees. Not now, not ever.

  • Leads & Waitlists
  • GoCardless Direct Debits
  • Stripe Payments
  • Broadcast & Marketing
  • Safeguarding Tools
  • Parent Portals
Student register and attendance tracking in the free BMABA Club Management Platform Belt, tag and grade progression tracking in the free BMABA Club Management Platform A student profile in the free BMABA Club Management Platform

Your Digital Shopfront, Built For You

Build Or Transfer Your Club Website, Free

Whether you already have a website or are starting from scratch, we take care of it: our team migrates your existing site or builds a clean, professional new one around how your club actually operates. Online payments, club shops, enquiries and member journeys, connected seamlessly with club management and secure email, with direct one-to-one developer support. All included with membership, no extra charges.

Get Started »

Built To Serve Martial Arts, Not Profit From It

You get to decide where your membership fees go. Should they line the pockets of another self-appointed 8th Dan, or help strengthen the sector that supports your club’s future?

We’re not-for-profit by design. We don’t answer to shareholders, ego or money; we answer to you, the instructors and clubs who make this community what it is. Every penny we generate is reinvested into grassroots martial arts, safeguarding, governance, support and innovation. We’re regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies, certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, and we hold active lines of communication with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England, and wider national bodies. We work for your club, and clubs like yours, every single day.

Explore Membership
A Voice For Independent Martial Arts

Ministerial Commendation And Parliamentary Recognition

“Organisations such as the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association support unaffiliated martial arts providers to adopt the safeguarding code… Providers with recognition under the code can display a logo on their promotional materials to show participants that their safety measures have been vetted.”
Stephanie Peacock MP, House of Commons Debate on Combat Sport Safety

BMABA CIC has been recognised at the highest levels of Government for our commitment to safeguarding in martial arts. During a House of Commons debate on combat sport safety, the Minister for Sport, Stephanie Peacock MP, highlighted the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association by name for our work in supporting independent and unaffiliated clubs to adopt the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts. This direct mention in Parliament demonstrates that our efforts to raise standards and protect participants are shaping the national conversation on safety in combat sports.

Following that debate, the Minister for Sport wrote formally to commend BMABA’s work, praising our role in raising safeguarding standards across the independent martial arts sector. She described our contribution as “extremely useful” to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s ongoing policy development, and thanked us for our ongoing efforts to make martial arts safer for children. This recognition reflects the trust placed in BMABA to help Government address urgent safeguarding challenges highlighted by recent tragedies within combat sports.

For our members and the wider martial arts community, this recognition underlines BMABA’s credibility as a leading voice for independent martial arts in the UK. It demonstrates that our grassroots-driven mission, to promote safe, inclusive, and properly governed martial arts for all, is influencing national policy and gaining ministerial support. Being referenced in Parliament and commended in writing by the Minister for Sport reinforces that BMABA is not just a governing body, but a sector-shaping organisation working to protect participants and secure the future of martial arts.

“I appreciate your ongoing efforts to make martial arts safer for children.”
Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth
Awards & Recognition
Testimonials

What Do Our Members Say?

  • D Hurt
    10 Out Of 10
    Well I was with another organisation for 4 years and came across these guys. They have great vetting, were really helpful at every stage of my application, the actual app is amazing with training opportunities for members, also student membership. All round 10 out of 10.
    Facebook recommendation
  • Peter R
    They Go Above And Beyond
    Been a member for a number of years and they go above and beyond to support their members. Everything from safeguarding and legalities to certified courses, websites, club manager software, just to name a few of the benefits.
    Google review
  • Giles H
    Exemplary Organisation
    A huge resource of helpful information and support for those setting up or running a martial arts club. Well put together coaching courses and great safeguarding advice and policies. Really pleased to have access to this exemplary organisation to help me with my new kickboxing club.
    Google review
  • VORTEX Martial Arts & Fitness
    More Than Just A Governing Body
    Simply amazing. BMABA are more than just a governing body for martial arts, they are a team of incredible people, always willing to go the extra mile to make sure you feel supported. Incredible customer service, amazing response time, and an honour to be governed by.
    Google review
  • Lena S
    Professional And High Quality
    Previously searched for similar organisations but after speaking to Giovanni over the phone I knew that BMABA was the right one for me. He was very informative, patient and had a lot of time to answer any questions. Extremely reassuring and helpful. Their website and documentation are also very professional and high quality.
    Google review
  • Luke T
    Far More Helpful Than Any Other Association
    Having been a part of BMABA for a short while, I can say that already they have been far more helpful than any other association I have been involved in. After 10 years of martial arts, I hope to continue instructing under BMABA for many years.
    Google review
  • Chris J
    Great People To Work With
    Great people to work with.
    Facebook recommendation
  • Matt J
    Can't Rate Them Highly Enough
    Having left my previous association in November, and being very daunted by the prospect of being responsible for all my own compliance and everything else I can honestly say BMABA have made the whole thing possible and even pleasant. The training resources are great, it's been fantastic for me to be able to quickly up skill my team, the insurance is really easy to sort out, the team are super friendly and helpful, the perks on Gold membership are also fantastic.
    Member review
  • John Tomsett
    Outstanding Club Association and Insurance Provider
    I have been a customer of BMABA for two years now, and I am extremely impressed with their services. First and foremost, the customer service provided by BMABA is exceptional. Their team is responsive, professional, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring that our needs are met. Whenever we had a query or require assistance, they responded rapidly and effectively.
    Member review
  • Georgina E
    Really impressive, 21st century MA organisation. 10/10
    Found these guys in Martial Arts Illustrated doing a piece on professionalism in martial arts and thought, as an instructor, they might be worth looking at further. Really impressed from the moment I hit their website through to now, 3 months on as a member. Great staff, Giovanni is rediculously knowledgable and our club is now growing under the banner of what has got to be the best martial arts org in the UK.
    Member review
  • Michael Willington
    Definately recommended. Unbelievable Association.
    The BMABA are unlike any other org I've come across in this industry. Their honest, professional, politics free and most importantly, they know what they're doing. Website is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest, insurance is comprehensive and their overall customer service is just unlike anything else I've had in 25 years of martial arts. Amazing through and through. Would definitely recommend.
    Member review
  • Jonathan D
    BMABA – the Martial Arts Association you NEED
    I joined the BMABA right in its infancy (I believe I was their second member!). Giovanni is the most helpful, respectful and genuine person who has turned the possibility of a non-political, highly respected and supportive Martial Arts Association into a reality. I could bang on for hours about the BMABA but don't take my word for it – go and visit the BMABA website and see for yourself.
    Member review
  • Fabian Burdett
    This Team Deserves A Medal
    As we all know 2020 has been the year from hell for martial arts. One thing that has come out of that is BMABA have done everything in their power to keep clubs like mine up to date with what's happening and tried to push the government to notice us. Couldn't wish for a better association to be a part of. Once again big THANK YOU to you guys for all the help. 💙🐺👊
    Member review
  • Matthew Robert Cooling-Stones
    These guys are the real deal
    As i'm heading into the brave world of starting up my own small self defence club in our village, i can say with complete honesty and satisfaction that BMABA have been the most supportive and upfront association i have come across. i have seen and had first hand experience with the Mcdojo's offering you the greatest adventures of a life time. but these guys are the real deal… i hold my head high, and say with great pride "i am a BMABA member"
    Facebook
  • Anna Martensson
    Highly IMPRESSED by the BMABA
    As someone with 22 years of experience in martial arts, who saw enough big egos and leaders who only look after their own benefits… I am highly IMPRESSED by the BMABA. I wanted to make sure they don't just promise the world but actually deliver. They support us all the way and constantly look for new ways of making our whole industry better for ALL of us. THANK YOU!!
    Facebook
  • Adrian Jackson
    Always quick to respond and thoughtful
    Always quick to respond and thoughtful. Great service delivered at a very reasonable price and very supportive of the community. Been a member for a couple of years now and recommend highly
    Member review
  • Daniel Leaver
    Simply the best organisation I have ever worked with
    Simply the best organisation I have ever worked with. Everything is so stress free and I am definitely sticking with them for the rest of my career.
    Facebook
Club Management Award

Most Clubs That Fail Do Not Fail At Martial Arts

Legal structure, registration and insurance, pricing, bookkeeping, and reading a simple profit and loss well enough to know whether your club is actually healthy. The things nobody covers on a black belt syllabus and everybody needs from week one.

Written for martial arts clubs specifically rather than adapted from generic small business training, and included with Silver and Gold membership at no extra cost.

Explore The Club Management Award
  • Level 1Structure, pricing, bookkeeping, marketing, admin
  • Level 2Waiting for you when the club grows into it
  • 28 lessonsTwo exams, two certificates, both online
Our Story

From A £20 Start-Up To A Nationally Recognised Powerhouse. Built From Scratch, Driven By Purpose. That’s BMABA CIC.

We’re not here because of government grants, NGB status, or Sport England funding. We’re here because thousands of instructors and clubs believed in a better way. BMABA CIC is entirely independent, self-funded, and not-for-profit. We have never taken shortcuts or silver spoons, but we have earned recognition at the highest levels of UK sport, including Sport England, DCMS, and national media, purely on merit. More than £2.4 million generated to date, reinvested into the UK martial arts community.

No gimmicks. No politics. No hidden shareholders.

We built one of the UK’s most trusted martial arts ecosystems from the ground up. A comprehensive, style-agnostic governance system. Sector-leading safeguarding and compliance. Affordable insurance. Free club management software. Dozens of tools, licences, guidance, and expert support, all included, all in one place.

We didn’t inherit a legacy. We forged one.

Whether you’re stepping out for the first time or have always been proudly independent, this is your home. To high places by narrow roads isn’t just a slogan. It’s how we got here.

25 Reasons We Might Be A Good Fit

Grow With A Governing Body That’s Actually On Your Side

Join free, explore everything, and stay free for as long as you like. Then decide for yourself.

  • Free affiliate membership, no obligation, ever
  • Free website, built or transferred for you
  • Award-winning Club Management Platform
  • Cost savings that can cover your membership
  • Club Colours & RegulationReady standards
  • Real, full-time human support
Join Free Today