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Smarter Admin.
Stronger Management.

Running a club means wearing a dozen hats: instructor, administrator, bookkeeper, policy writer, strategist. We help you take most of them off.

Less Paperwork. Better Decisions. A Better Club.

The burden of administration alone can drain time, energy and resources better spent on students and growth. We help clubs radically reduce that load: from simplifying safeguarding, risk assessments and record-keeping to automating attendance, invoicing and grading, our tools replace hours of repetitive admin with a few clicks, everything securely logged and accessible online. And when you streamline the admin, you free up space for better decisions, with clear data, strategic planning templates, and smart systems for finances, compliance and leadership. It’s not just about doing less admin; it’s about running a better club.

One System, Not Twelve AppsAttendance, billing, records, safeguarding, syllabus, tasks and finances in one platform, with smart syncing everywhere.
Compliance That Tracks ItselfLive licence and compliance tracking shows what’s verified, what’s missing, and what keeps you RegulationReady.
Guided, Not GuessworkDigital risk assessments, a policy creator, onboarding checklists and the Lesson Planner & Pedagogy turn expert admin into guided actions.
All Included, No Extra CostEvery tool on this page comes with membership. No add-ons, no upgrades, no third-party platform fees, ever.

How We Help, Job By Job

Twelve ways we take the admin weight off your shoulders, every one included with membership.

1

Smart Club Budgeting & Finances

Built-in accounting and bookkeeping tools make it easy to manage income, track spending and plan ahead, with clear visual breakdowns, forecasts and budget alerts.

2

Effortless Business Modelling

Use the Club Business Manager to simulate pricing models, map out student growth, and experiment with what-if data to make smarter, future-proof decisions.

3

Centralised Task & Calendar Tools

From event planning to team role delegation, the admin suite makes assigning, tracking and scheduling jobs easier, all from one dashboard.

4

Digital Risk Assessments

Generate detailed, professional-standard risk assessments in minutes using guided digital templates, perfect for venues, classes and events.

5

AI-Powered Lesson Planning

Let the AI planner do the heavy lifting: tailor sessions by age, discipline, ability and outcomes, and generate structured plans ready to deliver.

6

Custom Policy Creator

Generate compliant, branded policies, from safeguarding to data protection, in a few clicks, aligned to your club’s needs and ready to publish.

7

No Paperwork, No Duplication

Smart syncing across tools: one update reflects across your calendar, register, incident logs and more.

8

Student & Parent Records In One Place

Track progress, attendance, medical needs, grading history and safeguarding notes securely, across your whole club.

9

Easy Team Onboarding

Bring volunteers, assistants and instructors up to speed with guided role-based checklists and compliance overviews, all within the platform.

10

Live Licence & Compliance Tracking

The platform automatically shows which instructors are verified, which checks are missing, and what action keeps you RegulationReady.

11

Performance & Strategy Tools

From growth analytics to club health reports, track what’s working and adjust strategy with insight, not guesswork.

12

Training & Developing Assistants

The Instructor Training Pathway turns your own in-house development into an accredited, evidenced framework. You set the required CPD, competencies and hours; the platform logs it, your instructors sign it off, and BMABA issues the certificate. Free, for adults and for 13 to 17s.

Your Operational Hub

More Than Just Payments. A Smarter Way To Run Your Club.

From managing attendance and class schedules to logging incidents, setting tasks and tracking student progress, the Club Management Platform is built for the real day-to-day of running a martial arts club. Dedicated dashboards for students and instructors let you coordinate calendars, automate reminders, log assessments, track grading, manage appointments and forecast finances, all in one place. Whether you’re a solo instructor or running a large team, it’s your operational hub, not just a payments system.

RegulationReady

Compliance That Checks Itself

This isn’t a policy pack gathering dust. RegulationReady checks your safeguarding, leadership and compliance dynamically against live data, giving instant certification, public recognition and complete transparency.

Illustrative view. Your live dashboard tracks the real thing, and tells you exactly what needs doing before it becomes a problem.

The Standards Behind The Admin

Governance That Parents Can See & Verify

Good administration earns its keep when it becomes visible trust. Three frameworks turn your behind-the-scenes work into public recognition.

RegulationReady

The most comprehensive governance framework in UK martial arts, built in-house and operated under our ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 certified processes. Live-data checking, instant certification, complete transparency, free for every member.

Club Colours

Our gold standard licensing programme for safeguarding, quality and professionalism, publicly celebrated, independently checkable, and the bridge from your internal compliance to national recognition.

The Safeguarding Code

The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts is a Sport England-approved recognition scheme. Club Colours is mapped to the Code, and BMABA is authorised to issue Code recognition directly through MyBMABA, automatically and at no cost, so your club can display the logo parents are told to look for.

The Little Details, Thought About For You

Built around real-life club operations, not theoretical ideas.

Total Financial Visibility, Free

See exactly where money comes from, classes, gradings, merchandise, licences, and where it goes, with every outgoing categorised and logged. Understand your break-even point, forecast growth, and model income scenarios with live dashboards for monthly income, annual turnover and tax position. Financial clarity designed specifically for martial arts clubs, so decisions are strategic rather than reactive.

Explore The Platform »

Professional, Branded Email That Builds Trust

MailByBMABA gives your club a professional, secure webmail service, branded to your domain or ours, so every message builds credibility. No adverts, no cut corners, no hidden upsells: a clean, reliable inbox backed by enterprise-grade security. Most clubs find this alone saves them the cost of membership several times over.

Get Your Inbox »

Share, Message & Structure, All In-Platform

Share access to scheduling, syllabus or bookkeeping tools with colleagues securely. Message students or staff about session changes without switching apps or exposing personal contact details. Build and display your syllabus directly inside the platform, complete with attachments, videos and belt-specific requirements, rather than burying it in documents and printed sheets.

See How It Works »

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
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

Two levels, fourteen lessons each. Level 1 covers legal structure, pricing, bookkeeping and marketing. Level 2 goes into forecasting, VAT, contracts, GDPR and employing instructors. Between them they are the business education nobody gets on the way to a black belt.

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 1Getting it right from the start
  • Level 2What arrives once the club is working
  • 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

Take A Few Hats Off. Keep The One That Matters.

Join free, hand the admin to systems built for martial arts, and get back to the mat.

  • Free affiliate membership, no obligation, ever
  • Award-winning Club Management Platform
  • Live compliance & licence tracking
  • Digital risk assessments & policy creator
  • Professional branded email
  • Real, full-time human support
Join Free Today