As an association, we are tirelessly committed to offering nothing short of a superb service to our members. We continue to increase in size exponentially and now represent in-excess of 30,000 members and 6,500 clubs across the United Kingdom from more than 150 disciplines.

We believe this is testimony to the service we offer and our unique ability to meet a desire for change amongst a growing number of martial arts clubs, instructors & coaches. Most instructors will have tried a few organisations or associations in their time and most say the same thing; politics and egos ruin it. Squabbling, who’s who, minimum numbers… We hear the same thing time and time again.

We’re fiercely committed to changing this cliche by running an independent, politics free and community run organisation that is truly dedicated to offering instructors and clubs the opportunity to run their business their way with the full backing of a leading UK association. We know that statement is a bit of a cliche in it’s self as similar lines are now touted across dozens of association websites but when we first started using these terms in 2012 that wasn’t the case. As the saying goes, “words are cheap” and that couldn’t be more true. We’ll let our track-record and pro-active approach to governance do the talking.

To date we represent thousands of members from across the UK and help to promote safe, professional martial arts and combat classes without excessive red tape and politics. Most importantly, our clubs remain independent and are free to decide upon how they wish to develop without interference from a power hungry, money centric governing body. We’re a certified social enterprise and with our Not for Profit guarantee, all of our commercial proceeds go straight to the Fighting Chance Foundation. By removing profit from the equate, we believe a large part of the issue is resolved.

By joining our organisation as a martial arts instructor or club you’ll be able to enjoy affiliation to one of the UK’s leading professional organisations for martial arts instruction. Alongside our professional certification & licensing you’ll enjoy a range of other essential features – such as a club website, blank documents and forms, free club listings, student grading certificates, insurance, licensing and more.

Best of all, you remain completely politics free and genuinely independent. We’re here to support you – not hold you back.

A few key things we offer our instructors;

We offer all of our members the opportunity to be a part of an industry leading body for professional martial arts, boxing & combat instructors, coaches & senseis.

Our Association offers those who are genuine professionals the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and certification. Alongside our certification and licensing we provide some of the finest & most comprehensive membership benefits, features, resources, licensing tools and insurances to those who call the BMABA their home.

Here are just a few of the benefits we can offer our members;

Completely Politics Free

Politics has no place in the BMABA. Unfortunately so many associations let petty squabbling and politics get in the way of their job – representing, supporting and developing their members. We’re a professional organisation and we’re signed up to the SRA’s commitment to good governance and so have a zero-tolerance approach to the usual political drama.

No Contracts Or Tie-Ins

You’re never bound to be a part of our Association and you can terminate your membership to us at any renewal if you don’t we’re up to the job. You don’t need to buy into our programs or qualifications and you most certainly don’t need to surrender your freedom to teach independently. We support you, not restrict you.

Affordable & Fair

We’re a Not for Profit Social Enterprise led by our community of instructors and clubs. Therefore we don’t want members who don’t want to be a part of our Association and the collective community. For this reason we always offer a fair & transparent governing body to be a part of with affordable, comprehensive and clear fees.

Governed By Our Members

Although there is a director at the helm of our Association with a team of professional employees, we have a trusted committee made up of real members representing the interests of our instructors. As a member yourself you’ll always have the right to make decisions on our future and the right to cast an equal vote on key matters.

Some Of The Highest Standards In The Industry

We set standards that mean only genuinely qualified instructors and senseis are able to hold membership to our exclusive & professional organisation. If you’re up to our standards you can be one of the UK’s most recognised instructors, and can stand yourself apart from the cowboys.

Leading Certification & Licensing

The certification issued in-house by our body is recognised as some of the best certification and martial arts licensing available anywhere in the world. What’s more – all of our certification is checkable with industry leading verification to help you assure clients, students and parents that you’re vetted and properly registered.

Affordable & Comprehensive Student Insurance & Licensing

Enjoy comprehensive student public liability insurance, beautiful student certification, leading student licensing, grade recognition, student resources & more from a nominal annual fee of just £0.90 per student, per year.

Free & Unlimited Business Support

Enjoy business support that helps you start your own club, build up your members and develop an established club into a legitimate business. Make the steps from start up to full time Dojo with free support & guidance throughout.

A Friendly & Professional Community

Our membership is constantly growing and with this so too is our community. Our member’s area is made up of like minded instructors and clubs from all levels of the career-chain and all grades & styles. Network and grow within our friendly community.

Freedom To Run Your Club Your Way

We’re here to support you – not limit you. With the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA) you’re free to run your club your way, charge what you want, grade as please and maintain your club’s independence. As long as what you do is safe, ethical and professional we’ll back you.

Join Our Association Online

Multi-Award Winning, Politics Free, Independent, Different.

There’s a reason we’re seen as an industry disruptor. Modern in our approach to technology and customer service, we’re community based and we’re a registered charitable foundation too. With nearly a decade of experience and a membership base in excess of 15,000 participants and instructors, we’re multi-award winning for a reason and would love to work with you.

“I would like to thank everyone on the BMABA Team that has helped me during my time with what can only be described as the best Martial Arts Association I have ever belonged to and I am proud to be one of its first members. Giovanni, you are an inspiration and entrepreneur for those that embrace a politics-free association, professionally run and a shining example for the rest. Keep up the good work – the recognition is already there and I suspect it will continue. The BMABA is the association that I had hoped and dreamed about to allow me to start teaching self defence with the support and advice I needed, but without the politics and interference I wished to avoid.”

Jonathan Davis
Pure Self Defence
Ali Hasanzade

“Someone has answered my gentle prayers and FINALLY designed an organisation that will leave you stress-free in the world of MARTIAL ARTS 🙂

I am so excited to leave my recommendation because words cannot describe how much BMABA means to me and how it has changed everything in my organisation for the better. They are literally representing what we are about here at British MMA in West London, Brentford. We go by ‘Traditional Values with a Modern Approach’. They are so much more and you can take it from me – you’ll never find any other organisation or company doing GREATER things than this team BMABA. For all those who are still traditional and thinking old ways of not changing things around in case there are some concerns. Give me a call from our website or facebook page and I will personally give you a recommendation in why you should change and revamp everything in your club or as an instructor with the BRITISH MARTIAL ARTS & BOXING ASSOCIATION.

Ali Hasanzade
British MMA
WE KNOW THAT RESPECT IS EARNED, NOT GIVEN.

WE'RE MULTI-AWARD WINNING FOR A REASON

We’ve featured in newspapers and radio, have won various external accolades and continue to work with a number of high-profile charities and organisations. 

See What All The Fuss Is About >>

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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01798 306546

We’re always happy to speak with new and current members by phone.

Lines are generally staffed between the hours of 9.15am and 4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am to 1pm Friday. Occasionally you may not be able to reach us if we’re all tied up elsewhere (you’re calling a real office, not a call-centre!) but we provide an answer phone service 24/7. Please leave a message and we’ll be happy to call you back as soon as we’re free.

Or, if you prefer, you’re welcome to;

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Join More Than 6,500 Like-Minded Instructors & Clubs

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.

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.

AWARD WINNING

Not entirely sure?

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.