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Contact Us

Real People, In A Real Office, In West Sussex

No call centre, and no ticket queue you never hear back from. If you want to talk something through before joining, or you are already a member and need help, there is somebody here.

We do use AI, and we will always tell you when you are talking to it. FIN, our assistant, answers first on chat and out of hours so you are not waiting until Monday for something it can solve in a minute. It never pretends to be a person, and it hands over to the team rather than replacing them.
About FIN, Our AI Assistant

We Use AI. We Tell You When You Are Talking To It.

Plenty of organisations quietly put a bot in front of you and let you find out for yourself. We do not. FIN answers first on web chat, on Messenger and out of hours, and it is labelled as what it is from the first message.

It is there for convenience rather than instead of us. Most questions have a factual answer sitting in our handbook, and getting that answer at ten o’clock on a Sunday is better than waiting until Tuesday for somebody to type it out. Anything FIN cannot resolve goes to the team, and you are never stuck in a loop trying to reach a person.

The point is not fewer staff. It is that the same team can reach far more people, and spend their time on the conversations that genuinely need a human.

Recognised Intercom Top 500, with AI We hold Intercom’s Top 500 recognition with its AI designation, awarded for how we have adopted and applied AI in customer support. Not a badge we bought. One we were given for doing it well.
The Office

A Real Team, In A Real Office, Delivering Real Support

A great deal of this sector runs on goodwill and evening admin, and we respect that. But when you need safeguarding support, or a straight answer about your cover, or help with something on a Tuesday afternoon, goodwill is not enough.

BMABA CIC has a payrolled team: a qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead, a trained customer services team, web developers and experienced operational leads. Our Petworth office was fully refurbished in 2020 and is the hub of our national operations.

Visits are strictly by invitation only. We are a working office rather than a shop, and an unannounced visit means whoever you needed is in a meeting.

Meet The Team
The BMABA team at work in the Petworth office Members of the BMABA team working together
Address
Suites I & K, The Old Bakery
Golden Square, Petworth
GU28 0AP
Office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Telephone hours Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Visits Strictly by invitation only
If You Are Still Deciding

You Can Just Ask. There Is No Script At This End.

Choosing an association is not a decision to rush, and we would rather you took your time over it. If you want to compare what you have now against what we offer, or work out whether we are actually the right fit, ask us directly.

We will tell you if we are not. That happens, and saying so costs us far less than a club joining, being disappointed, and leaving a year later.

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
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