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Setting The Standard.

For Clubs That Stand For More.

For us, good governance isn’t a checklist — it’s a commitment.
We support clubs that want to lead safely, ethically, and well.

THE MISSION

Supporting Safer, Stronger Martial Arts Clubs Across The UK

At BMABA CIC, we believe better clubs are built on better foundations — that’s why we place ethics, safeguarding and governance at the heart of everything we do.

We’re not just a governing body in name. We’re a certified social enterprise that equips clubs with the guidance, tools, and frameworks they need to meet the highest standards — not for appearances, but for real-world impact. Whether it’s safeguarding, coaching, leadership or club compliance, we’re here to support and strengthen your journey.

  • Practical safeguarding and governance advice — when you need it

  • Club compliance tools that simplify, not complicate

  • Courses, policies and pathways tailored to real-world clubs

We Hold Ourselves To The Same Standards We Expect Of Our Clubs

As a certified ISO 9001:2015 organisation and a SCiMA-recognised governing body, we operate under the same standards of accountability, safeguarding, and good governance we ask our clubs to uphold. That means internal audits, clear escalation routes, external oversight, and a commitment to transparency — not just in theory, but in practice.

Practical Support For Clubs That Want To Do Things Right

Safeguarding, governance, and coaching standards shouldn’t be barriers — they should be building blocks. That’s why we give every BMABA-registered club access to the tools, training and advice needed to not just meet expectations, but exceed them. Whether you’re a new instructor or an established club, we’ll help you build a resilient, well-run organisation that puts students first.

Comprehensive Policy Templates

Ready-to-use safeguarding, welfare, and governance policies — fully adaptable to your club’s needs and aligned with national expectations.

Expert Safeguarding & Governance Guidance

Access professional advice on compliance, incident handling, duty of care and ethical decision-making — when you need it most.

Smart Compliance Tools With MyBMABA

Track and manage DBS checks, insurance, first aid, qualifications and safeguarding status — all in one place, with built-in alerts and audit readiness.

CPD-Accredited Instructor Training

Certified courses in safeguarding, mental health first aid, trauma-informed coaching, and youth violence prevention — all designed for real-world martial arts settings.

Recognition Via Club Colours & Regulation Ready

Benchmark your club’s performance with structured awards that showcase high standards in leadership, safeguarding and operational quality.

Enhanced DBS, Safeguarding & Verification Services

Streamlined enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding qualifications, identity verification and all visible on our national register.

Our Safeguarding Standards Don’t Just Meet Expectations — They Set Them.

We’re proud to be the only independent martial arts governing body able to issue the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts certification automatically and without extra steps — directly through our Club Colours and Regulation Ready framework.

That’s possible because our safeguarding standards, compliance checks, and technology infrastructure are so robust, they’ve been externally validated by leading organisations, including the British Assessment Bureau (ISO 9001:2015) and SCiMA.

No add-ons. No hidden fees. No separate forms.
If your club meets the standard, you’re awarded — it’s that simple.

What We Expect From Instructors & Coaches

High Standards Start With Us — But They Depend On You

BMABA CIC holds itself to the highest ethical and safeguarding standards — and we expect the same from every instructor and coach who represents our organisation. This isn’t about box-ticking. It’s about protecting the people we teach, respecting the communities we serve, and leading martial arts with integrity.

01

Ethics First

We expect our instructors to lead with honesty, fairness, and respect — on and off the mats. This means upholding transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest, and never using martial arts to exploit, intimidate, or mislead.

02

Child-First Safeguarding

Safeguarding isn’t a form — it’s a mindset. We require instructors to place the safety, wellbeing and dignity of children and vulnerable adults above all else. Every decision, from lesson structure to communication with parents, must reflect this priority.

03

Inclusive Teaching

Martial arts should be open to all — regardless of background, ability, or identity. We expect inclusive, welcoming environments that celebrate diversity and actively challenge discrimination or exclusion.

04

Professional Conduct

Being a martial arts instructor means more than technical skill — it means accountability. We expect punctuality, preparedness, appropriate language, and the ability to manage risk, conflict and safeguarding with calm, professional authority.

05

Professional Standards

Every instructor must meet and maintain essential professional standards — no exceptions. This includes having appropriate technical ability, undergoing formal vetting, and holding up-to-date credentials in key areas like enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding training, first aid, public liability insurance, and identity verification. These aren’t just policies — they’re non-negotiable safeguards designed to protect students, parents, clubs, and the wider martial arts community.

Ready to Lead From the Front?

Join BMABA CIC for free and unlock access to our full Club Colours and Regulation Ready framework — including award-winning safeguarding, gold-standard governance, and nationally recognised verification tools.

Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised

Best Sports Governing Body Initiative

Winners

Best Association Serving Sport

Finalists

Best COVID Response for Sports

Finalists

Sports Diversity Award

Finalists

Sports Association of the Year

Bronze

Best Sporting Association in the UK

Winners

Best Sport & Recreation Entrepreneur

Winners

Best Association Website

Winners

Association of the Year

Finalists

Executive Director of the Year Finalists

Finalists

Best Use Of Technology Award

Winners

Best Sport & Recreation Entrepreneur

Winners

UK Business Leader of the Year

Winners

Entrepreneur Of The Year

Finalists

Director Of The Year

Finalists

Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

Finalists

We’re Here When You Need Us.

We know choosing the right association—or just figuring out what support your club really needs—can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re always happy to talk it through.

Whether you’re curious about membership, need help with something specific, or just want a no-pressure chat to see if we’re the right fit, our team is ready. No bots. No scripts. Just real people, working full-time from our UK office, here to help clubs like yours thrive.

THINKING OF JOINING?

Still Thinking It Over?

We know choosing a governing body isn’t something you rush. That’s why our team is always here to offer honest, impartial advice — no pressure, no sales scripts.

Whether you’re comparing support, questioning the value in your current membership, or just need to talk things through — we’re happy to help.

We’re a real team, working full-time from our UK office — not a voluntary outfit run from someone’s kitchen table. You’ll feel the difference the moment you get in touch.

Trusted by more than 6,500 instructors and clubs.

A National, Regulated, Award-Winning Not-For-Profit - Built From The Ground Up

BMABA CIC isn’t just another organisation claiming to serve martial arts — we’re a regulated, independently audited, multi-award-winning social enterprise leading from the front.

We hold ISO9001:2015 certification under UKAS accreditation — the same gold standard used to assess hospitals, universities, and major corporations. We’re also regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (CIC Regulator), meaning we’re legally bound to reinvest every penny back into grassroots martial arts.

We haven’t been propped up by corporate sponsors or legacy funding. We’ve grown organically — one instructor at a time, by doing what we said we’d do and showing up when others didn’t. Since 2012, we’ve supported clubs through hardship, driven national reforms, and built a respected, professional home for independent martial arts.

Today, we’re trusted by more than 6,500 instructors and clubs and support over 100,000 members across 140+ disciplines. Along the way, we’ve earned national recognition — from awards in governance and inclusion, to features across BBC, ITV, and The Guardian.

We didn’t inherit status. We earned it — by raising the bar, and never compromising on our values.

Empower Your Club With A Platform That Works For You

Run your martial arts club smarter with our full-featured, professionally-built Club Management Platform — funded entirely by our not-for-profit mission, not a corporate agenda. No upsells. No hidden costs. Just powerful, intuitive tools included free with your membership.

Built to save you time, money, and stress — and trusted by thousands of clubs nationwide.

Plus So Much More As Standard Just Some Of The Tools & Resources We Offer

  • Instructor Certification & Licensing
  • Student Insurance & Licensing
  • Free Instructor Qualifications
  • Safeguarding Qualifications
  • Enhanced DBS Checks
  • First Aid Training
  • Free Club Website
  • Club Management Support
  • Instructor Certification & Licensing
  • Logos & Accreditation Marks
  • SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Platform
  • Local & National Networking
  • Stock Grading Certificates
  • Free Instructor Qualifications
  • Template Documents & Forms
  • Printing & Design
  • Safeguarding Code For Martial Arts
  • Best Practice Guidance
  • Wordpress Hosting
  • a.i For Martial Arts
  • Event Management Checklists
  • Safeguarding Model Policies
  • Analytics & Tracking Tools
  • Budgeting Apps
  • Professional Webmail
  • Clothing & Uniform
  • Cyber Toolkit
  • Cash Grants & Funding
  • Risk Management Awards
  • Concussion & Head Injury
  • National Advertising
  • Entrepreneur's Support
  • Plus So Much More
Why Do Thousands Choose BMABA?

Not everyone understands what makes us different. But for those who do, the reasons are clear — from our award-winning governance to the groundbreaking support we offer clubs of all sizes.

Whether it’s our industry-leading safeguarding standards, our not-for-profit mission, or our powerful club tech funded purely by membership — there’s a reason more than 6,500 instructors and 3,500 clubs trust us.

Built For The Sector — Not For Shareholders

BMABA wasn’t inherited or bought — it was built. And in 2025, we made the bold decision to give it away.

Our founder, who grew up in poverty and built BMABA from scratch with just £20, voluntarily converted the organisation into a regulated not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) — surrendering nearly £2 million in private value to protect its mission for the long term. That means no for profit shareholders, no dividends, and no profiteering — just an unwavering commitment to community impact.

We’re a registered social enterprise, governed by the CIC Regulator, certified to ISO9001:2015 under UKAS accreditation, and led by a multi-award winning social entrepreneur who believes martial arts should serve the people, not the few.

This isn’t a vanity project with self-appointed 8th dans — it’s a movement, built for clubs, by clubs.

INCLUDED WITH MEMBERSHIP

Build or Transfer Your Club Website — For Free

Whether you already have a site or are starting from scratch, we’ll take care of it for you. Our developers can seamlessly transfer your existing website or design a brand-new, professional site tailored to your club — all fully integrated with BMABA’s ecosystem.

Every site is built to do more. From running a full club webshop and handling online payments, to connecting directly with our Club Management Platform, business tools, and secure MailbyBMABA email, your digital presence is future-proofed from day one. You’ll even receive free one-to-one time with our developers to make sure everything is set up exactly as you need it — and all of this is included completely free with your membership.

Nationally Recognised Standards

Our Club Colours and Regulation Ready awards go far beyond branding or badges — they represent some of the most robust safeguarding and compliance standards available anywhere in UK martial arts.

Mapped directly against the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts (SCiMA) and formally approved by Sport England, our frameworks allow clubs to earn full SCiMA recognition directly through the MyBMABA platform — automatically and at no cost. We are the only independent governing body, and one of just two organisations nationwide, including Sport England’s own NGBs, granted the authority to issue SCiMA certification in this way.

No waiting. No third-party submission. No extra cost. Every BMABA member has access to this, included as part of our not-for-profit mission to raise standards from the ground up.

Others talk about safeguarding. We built a national infrastructure to deliver it.

Not Entirely Sure?

We offer a genuine 12 months of free membership — with absolutely no catches, obligations, or hidden clauses.

Why? Because we believe you deserve the chance to see, first-hand, what it feels like to be supported by an organisation that genuinely has your back. We know how often martial arts clubs have been let down by associations and governing bodies that overpromise and underdeliver — or worse, treat instructors as revenue, not people.

We’re not here to sell you on hype. We’re here to show you what real, modern martial arts governance and support can look like.

Whether you’re looking for insurance, safeguarding help, student tools, guidance, structure, or just a community that understands your club’s challenges — our free membership gives you access to the same resources, platform, and support we provide to thousands of instructors and clubs across the UK.

No commitment. No pressure. Just a genuine opportunity to explore what we offer — and decide for yourself.

Raising Standards, Protecting Clubs

With Regulation Ready and Club Colours, every BMABA club gains free access to the most advanced governance framework in martial arts — a gold-standard system built in-house, verified against ISO 9001:2015, and recognised nationally through SCiMA.

This isn’t theory; it’s a living, breathing platform. Your policies, safeguarding, leadership and compliance are dynamically checked in real-time, giving you instant certification, public recognition, and complete transparency. No other martial arts body offers anything this comprehensive — and with BMABA CIC, it’s included free for every member, because raising standards and protecting grassroots clubs is what we do.

The UK's Leading and Largest Multi-Style Governing Body For Martial Arts

BMABA CIC T/A British Martial Arts & Boxing Association
Registered Address: The Old Bakery. Golden Square, Petworth. GU28 0AP
Phone: 01798306546  | EMail: info@bmaba.org.uk

BMABA CIC. Reg. 10676965.
ICO Registration Number: ZA241917
Social Enterprise License No: 11677
VAT Registration Number: 373018216

Emergency Services, Armed Forces, RNLI and NHS front line staff are all entitled to 10% discounts across all of our memberships for life. This applies to all ex-serving armed forces and emergency workers too.

BMABA CIC is proud to hold the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management certification, issued under UKAS accreditation (Certificate No. 267261) — the highest level of independent validation for quality management systems in the UK.

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