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From A Multi-Award Winning, 5★ Rated Association

Martial Arts Student Insurance & Licensing

Insurance, Licensing & Membership Combined, From Just £0.49 Per Student, Per Year.

90,000+Students Protected Since 2012Insuring Martial Arts 200+Styles Represented

Built By Martial Artists. Designed For Martial Arts.

BMABA CIC is a nationally recognised, not-for-profit martial arts association providing insurance, licensing, and governance support for clubs across the UK.

Our student insurance system was built specifically for martial arts. It combines affordable protection, instant digital licensing, and recognised compliance support into one simple platform.

Every student membership includes £1,000,000 Public Liability Insurance as standard, with member-to-member cover explicitly confirmed in writing by AXA XL, and optional Personal Accident cover available for additional protection.

Choose Named Student Cover or our flexible Open Allocation model, mix and match if you like, and manage everything in real time from any device. With pricing from just £0.49 per student, protecting your students no longer needs to be an overhead worth worrying about.

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  • Core Student InsuranceEvery registered student includes £1,000,000 Public Liability Insurance as standard, protecting against claims arising from accidents or property damage during training, events and club activities, with member-to-member cover confirmed in writing. Higher limits of £2,000,000, £5,000,000 and £10,000,000 are available where required.
  • Optional Personal Accident ProtectionAdd Personal Accident cover at three benefit levels, supporting students in the event of injuries such as fractures, dental trauma, or temporary loss of income.
  • Licensing & Membership In One SystemEach registration creates an official membership record with digital licence slips, grade recognition, certificate templates, and access to the Lifetime Student Grade Register for named students.
  • Built By A Not-For-ProfitWe’re a martial arts association, not an insurance company. Every student membership funds governance, safeguarding, technology, and support for clubs across the UK.

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

Why You’ll Love BMABA Student Insurance & Licensing

Nine reasons clubs across the UK register their students with us.

1

Built For Real-World Clubs

Flexible, digitally delivered cover designed to fit around your club, not the other way around. Register cover instantly and ditch the paperwork entirely.

2

From Just £0.49 Per Student

Not-for-profit pricing without cutting corners. Include insurance and licensing within your club’s own fees, or pay as you go and still access great rates.

3

Backed By Robust Governance

Certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, a verified Social Enterprise, and authorised to issue the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts directly.

4

£1M Public Liability As Standard

Core Public Liability with member-to-member cover confirmed in writing by AXA XL, protecting against third-party injury or property damage in training, events and seminars.

5

Named Or Open Allocation

Traditional named cover with personalised licence slips and certificates, or flexible open allocation to self-manage student counts. Many clubs use both.

6

Instant Licensing & Certification

Immediate cover confirmation, downloadable licence slips and student certificates in seconds, from your dashboard or app. No postal delays.

7

Lifetime Student Grade Register

Named students join our national grade register, adding credibility and recognition to your gradings, awards and tournaments at no extra cost.

8

Free Club Management Tools

Track memberships, manage insurance, export student data, generate certificates and run your club more effectively, all included with registration.

9

Trusted Across The Sector

Widely recognised by local authorities, sports councils, schools and national venues, giving your club instant credibility and administrative confidence.

Our Promise

We Won’t Be Beaten On Price; Guaranteed.

Found the same student insurance elsewhere for less? We’ll match it. And if we can’t, we’ll upgrade you to complimentary Gold Membership, on us. Our exclusive student cover is only available to registered clubs, so join free today to unlock the UK’s leading student insurance and licensing scheme, trusted by thousands and starting from just £0.49 per student.

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Interactive

What Does A Licence Really Cost Your Club?

Tap in your numbers and see the per-student price at your volume, and what that licence looks like against what a student actually pays you each year.

Billing
Your per-student price £0.00 Total: £0.00 per year
  • £1,000,000 Student Public Liability
  • Member-to-member cover confirmed in writing
  • Licence, membership & grade recognition
  • Digital licence slips & certificates
  • Optional Personal Accident from £3.99

Prices use our published April 2026 volume bands, confirmed in real time at signup. Revenue figures assume roughly 48 training weeks per year.

Student Insurance, Explained

Student insurance protects clubs and students if injury or damage occurs during martial arts activities. With BMABA CIC it forms part of a broader system combining protection, licensing and national recognition in one registration.

Public Liability Insurance

All student memberships include £1,000,000 Student Public Liability Insurance protecting against a student injuring a member of the public or damaging a venue. Higher limits of £2,000,000, £5,000,000 and £10,000,000 are available where required.

Student Licensing

Grades, awards and participation properly documented and nationally recognised, from Kyu, Dan, Sash or Levels through to in-club tournaments, with licence slips and grading records issued quickly and professionally.

Student Membership

Official membership recognition, access to national grade records, and participation in the wider BMABA community, strengthening retention, credibility and professional standards while keeping admin simple.

Two Ways Of Registering Students

It’s entirely up to your club which model fits best, and you can mix and match both types of registration.

Individual Records

Named Registrations

The traditional, legacy-friendly option. Each student receives their own PDF licence slip and membership certificate with a unique licence number and national registration. Fixed to the student, creating a permanent record ideal for printed licence books and long-term grading recognition. Grades submit in real time via the instructor portal and ratify automatically into our national records. Named students also gain the secure student portal, safeguarding resources, and eligibility for the Lifetime Student Grade Register, validating achievements nationally even if they move club.

From £0.54 per student per year at volume; pay as you go from £3.70.

See The Detail
Flexible Pool

Open Allocation

The preferred option for most clubs. A blanket-style model: you’re assigned a set number of open licence slots and allocate them to students whenever needed, 24/7. If a student leaves, reassign the slot to someone else, ideal for high turnover without wasting cover. Downloadable PDF licence slips and membership certificates remain available, with templates to support your in-house processes. The only requirement: never have more students on cover than active slots, with accurate records kept, and our free club management platform makes that simple.

From £0.49 per licence per year at volume; pay as you go from £2.40.

See The Detail

Published Volume Pricing, Per Student

QuantityNamedOpen Allocation
0 – 10£3.70 / year£0.32 / month£2.40 / year£0.26 / month
11 – 20£2.91 / year£0.29 / month£2.20 / year£0.22 / month
21 – 50£2.49 / year£0.24 / month£1.90 / year£0.19 / month
51 – 100£2.02 / year£0.21 / month£1.74 / year£0.17 / month
101 – 200£1.68 / year£0.19 / month£1.21 / year£0.16 / month
201 – 350£1.01 / year£0.16 / month£0.91 / year£0.12 / month
351 – 500£0.98 / year£0.11 / month£0.79 / year£0.10 / month
501 – 1000£0.74 / year£0.09 / month£0.65 / year£0.08 / month
1000+£0.54 / year£0.06 / month£0.49 / year£0.06 / month

Every registration includes £1,000,000 Student Public Liability, membership and licensing. Annual billing always represents the best value.

How Much Does The Difference Actually Matter?

Honestly, less than you might fear, and more than the price gap suggests, depending on what your club values. The permanent record is the heart of Named cover: a lifetime licence number, national grade ratification, and LSGR recognition that follows the student even if they move club. If your students grade seriously, keep licence books, or care about provable lineage, that permanence is worth pennies more per head. Blanket-style provision is the heart of Open Allocation: you’re insuring capacity rather than individuals, which makes beginners, trials, and churn frictionless, and nobody’s cover is wasted when someone drifts away in February. Records still exist, you keep them, our free platform helps, but they’re your club’s records rather than national ones. Neither is second class: both carry identical £1,000,000 Public Liability. The question is simply whether the national, permanent, per-student paper trail earns its keep at your club.

Not Sure? Let’s Work It Out Together

Four quick questions, honest answer at the end.

Question 1 of 4

Do permanent national records and LSGR recognition matter to your students?

Question 2 of 4

What’s student turnover like at your club?

Question 3 of 4

Do you use printed licence books or individual certificates?

Question 4 of 4

How do you prefer to run admin?

Optional Personal Accident Cover

Additional financial protection for students injured during training or events, available at three levels and served via Pulse Insurance.

Bronze

£3.99per student, per year

£100 per week benefit following an eligible accident, supporting recovery from common martial arts injuries such as fractures or dental trauma.

Silver

£7.50per student, per year

Everything in Bronze, with the weekly benefit increased to £150.

Gold

£11.50per student, per year

Everything in Bronze, with the weekly benefit increased to £200.

It’s always important to understand what is and isn’t covered. Please read the detail in our handbook: Personal Accident limits, Open Allocation students and named students.

Turn Licensing Into Revenue

The Value-Added Extra That Pays For Itself, And Then Some

Because BMABA student cover comes with genuine licensing and membership to a national governing body, it makes it both easier than ever and completely legitimate to charge an annual club licence fee, inclusive of insurance, licence and membership. Recurring, predictable revenue for equipment, growth, or wages. Model it for your club:

Your per-student margin £0.00 Club annual revenue: £0.00

One honesty note, straight from our own rules: you can’t pass off the licence alone as costing more than it does, but including it within a genuine annual club membership fee that adds real value? Absolutely, and thousands of clubs do exactly that. Margin figures use Open Allocation pricing at your volume.

Real-time pricing, instant licensing, no obligation. Sign UpExplore Pricing
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
The BMABA team at work in the office BMABA certification and licensing documents The MyBMABA student management platform BMABA receiving a national award
More Than Insurance

We’re The UK’s Independent Martial Arts Association Backing Your Club

Unlike insurers who offer nothing more than a certificate and a premium, we’re a not-for-profit, community-first organisation built to serve you. Not shareholders.

When you insure with BMABA CIC, you’re not just ticking a legal box. You’re unlocking a complete ecosystem of tools, training, governance, and support. All included, and all at no extra cost.

  • Full instructor and club licensing
  • CPD-certified safeguarding & compliance training
  • Free club management and billing software
  • Certification, licensing & support
  • Plus loads more
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Register Students 24/7, With Instant Records & Stunning Documentation

We still hear about associations taking weeks to process paper licences and charging upward of £20 per cover. With BMABA, via the website or app, you register students in real time with automatic proof of cover and instant PDF licence slips. You don’t have to use our licences if you don’t wish to, but if you do, you’ll find stunning, professional-grade documentation to show parents and students: A4 membership certificates and standard licence slips in PDF, with fully stamped and foiled printed copies available too.

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Free Club Management Platform

Attendance Payments Memberships Fight Records Gradings Student Profiles Sorted.

Your club's entire admin in one place, completely free with membership. Attendance registers built for the mat, progression tracking that works with belts, sashes, ranks or no grading system at all, payments and memberships, rich student profiles, and so much more. No per-student fees. Not now, not ever.

  • GoCardless Direct Debits
  • Stripe Payments
  • Manual Payments
  • Safeguarding Tools
  • Digital Waivers
  • 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
Hear It From Our Expert

Real Answers, From The Person Who Built The Cover

Giovanni Soffietto, our CEO, is an expert in policy, governance and insurance, and has spent more than a decade building cover designed around how martial arts is actually taught. These short videos explain exactly how it all works, in plain English.

More On Our YouTube Channel

Disciplines Covered

We can provide cover for more than 200 disciplines and styles, and this list can be revised with our insurer on request wherever a genuine discipline requires endorsing.

  • Aiki JuJitsu
  • Aikido
  • Aiuchi Ju Jitsu
  • Aiwakai Karate Do
  • Ashihara Karate
  • American Kempo
  • Angampora
  • Arnis
  • Atemi
  • Ba Ji Quan and Tai Chi
  • Baguazhang
  • Bajiquan
  • Bajutsu
  • Bando
  • Bartitsu
  • Bataireacht (Irish Stick Fighting)
  • Bojitsu
  • Bojuka
  • Bojutsu
  • Bokator
  • Bokh (Mongolian Wrestling)
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
  • British Combat Judo
  • British Folkstyle Wrestling
  • Budokon
  • Bujinkan Budo
  • Bujinkan Budo Tai Jutsu
  • Bujutsu
  • Bushi Kempo
  • Bushido
  • Butthan
  • Canne de Combat
  • Capoeira
  • Catch Wrestling
  • Chuan Fa
  • Chuan Shu
  • Chambarra
  • Cheibi Gad-Ga
  • Chi Gong
  • Chinese Kickboxing
  • Choy Li Fut
  • Choi Kwang Do
  • Close Protection Training
  • Close Quarter Combat (CQB)
  • Combat Hapkido
  • Combat Hopak
  • Combat Sambo
  • Conflict Management
  • Coreeda
  • Cuong Nhu
  • Dacayana Eskrima
  • Daido Juku Kudo
  • Daito-ryu
  • Daito-ryu Aiki Jujitsu
  • Dambe
  • Danzan Ryu
  • Drunken Fist (Zui Quan)
  • Dumog
  • Eagle Claw Kung Fu
  • Enshin Kaikan
  • Escrima
  • Fencing
  • Feng Shou
  • Filipino Martial Arts
  • Fitness Orientated Kickboxing
  • Folkstyle Wrestling
  • Freestyle Jujitsu
  • Freestyle Karate
  • Freestyle Karate Jutsu
  • Freestyle Kung Fu
  • Freestyle Kickboxing
  • Freestyle Taekwondo
  • Fu Jow Pai
  • Gatka
  • Glima
  • Goju Kai Karate Do
  • Goju Ryu Karate
  • Gongkwon Yusul
  • Goshin Jutsu
  • Goshin Ryu Kempo Jujitsu
  • Haidong Gumdo
  • Hakuda
  • Han Mu Do
  • Hanbojutsu
  • Hapkido
  • Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
  • Historical Fencing
  • Hojojitsu
  • Hsing-i
  • Hsing-yi
  • Hung Ga
  • Huyen Langlon
  • Hwa Rang Do
  • Hwarang-do
  • Iaido
  • Iaijutsu
  • Icho-Ryu
  • Iinkai Judo
  • Isshin-Ryu Karate
  • Itto-Ryu
  • Jado Kuin Do
  • Japanese Shotokan Karate
  • Jeet Kune Do
  • Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido
  • Jojutsu
  • Judo
  • Jujitsu
  • Jun Fan Gung Fu
  • Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
  • Jutsu
  • Kaiai Jitsu
  • Kajukenbo
  • Kalaripayattu
  • Kali
  • Kali Silat
  • KAPAP
  • Karate
  • Karate Jutsu
  • Karate-Do
  • Karate-Jitsu
  • Kaze Arashi Ryu
  • Kempo
  • Kempo Jujitsu
  • Kempo Ryu
  • Ken Fat
  • Kendo
  • Kenjutsu
  • Kenpo
  • Kenshin Karate
  • Keysi
  • Ki Aikido
  • Kick Boxing
  • Ko Budo
  • Kobudo
  • Kokondo
  • Korean Kickboxing
  • Koryu Uchinadi
  • Krabi-Krabong
  • Krav Maga
  • Kuk Sool Won
  • Kumdo
  • Kung Fu
  • Kung Fu To'a
  • Kyokushinkai Karate
  • Kyudo
  • Lathi Khela
  • Lau Gar
  • Lau Gar Kickboxing
  • Lau Gar Kung Fu
  • Lee Style Tai Chi
  • Leopard Kung Fu (Bao Quan)
  • Lerdrit
  • Maarlisk
  • Malla Yuddha
  • MCMAP
  • Martial Arts Based Fitness
  • Martial Arts Wrestling
  • Military Martial Arts
  • Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
  • Monkey Kung Fu (Hou Quan)
  • Muay Boran
  • Muay Thai
  • Nearu Martial Art
  • Nihon Goshin Ju Jitsu
  • Ninjitsu
  • Ninpo Taijutsu
  • Ninjutsu
  • Niten Ichi-Ryu
  • North West Chinese Kickboxing
  • Okichitaw
  • Pa Kua
  • Pa Qua
  • Panantukan
  • Pankration
  • Personal Protection
  • Physical Intervention
  • Pradal Serey
  • Qi Kwan Do
  • Qwan Ki Do
  • Quan Fa
  • Reality Based Martial Arts
  • Russian Martial Arts
  • Sanjuro Martial Arts
  • Sankukai Karate
  • Sanshou
  • Sarak
  • Sarit
  • Savate
  • Seiki Juku Karate
  • Self Defence
  • Self Protection
  • Shaolin Kempo Karate
  • Shaolin Kung Fu
  • Shaolin-Tsu Kempo
  • Shintaido
  • Shito-Ryu Karate
  • Shindo Jinen Ryu
  • Shorinji Kempo
  • Shorin-Ryu Karate
  • Shotokan Goju Ryu
  • Shotokan Karate
  • Shuai Chiao
  • Shuai Jiao
  • Shukokai
  • Shukokai Karate
  • Shuri-Ryu
  • Sibpalki
  • Sikaran
  • Silambam
  • Silat
  • Sokudo
  • Soo Bahk Do
  • Sport Boxing (Martial Arts Based)
  • Sport Karate
  • Sport Sambo
  • Ssireum
  • Submission Wrestling
  • Sumai
  • Sumo
  • Sulkido
  • Systema
  • Taekkyeon
  • Taekwondo
  • Tai Chi
  • Tai Chi Chuan
  • Tai Jutsu
  • Taido
  • Taijutsu
  • Tang Soo Do
  • Thai Boxing
  • Thang-ta
  • Tiger Claw Kung Fu (Fu Jow Pai)
  • Tora Kai
  • Traditional Aikido
  • Traditional Italian Martial Arts
  • Traditional Karate
  • Traditional Wado Ryu
  • Unarmed Combat
  • Viet Vo Dao
  • Wado Ryu Karate
  • Wing Chun
  • Wing Chun Kung Fu
  • Wing Tsun
  • World Tang Soo Do
  • Wushu
  • Yoseikan Budo
  • Zen Shin Karate
  • and more

Weapons Included

You won’t pay a penny more for including nearly 100 training weapons and aids. Standalone live blade insurance is available for test-cutting and demonstrations.

  • 3 Section Staff
  • 6 Foot Staff
  • Bamboo Sword
  • Baton
  • Blunted Metal Sabre
  • Bo
  • Bo Staff
  • Bokken
  • Bow and Arrow
  • Broadsword (blunted or wooden)
  • Butterfly Knives (no live blades)
  • Cane
  • Chain
  • Chain Whip
  • Clubs
  • Cosh (blunted)
  • Dagger (blunted)
  • Dan Bong
  • Dummy Weapons
  • Escrima Sticks
  • Fan
  • Foam Batons
  • Foam Weapons
  • Focus Mitts
  • Guns (plastic)
  • Hanbo
  • Iaito (practice only)
  • Janbo
  • Jo Staff
  • Jutte
  • Kali Sticks
  • Kama (blunted)
  • Katana (blunted)
  • Kendo Shinai
  • Kenpo Sticks
  • Knives (blunted metal
  • plastic
  • rubber or wooden)
  • Kubotan
  • Kunai (blunted)
  • Leather Whip
  • Naginata (blunted)
  • Nawa
  • Nunchaku
  • Padded Sticks and Weapons
  • Pole
  • Practice Swords
  • Qiang
  • Rice Flail
  • Rokushaku Bo
  • Rope
  • Rubber Weapons
  • Sai
  • Shaolin Staff
  • Shields
  • Shinai
  • Shoriken
  • Shuko (demonstration only)
  • Spear
  • Staff
  • Sticks
  • Swords (blunted metal
  • plastic
  • rubber or wooden)
  • Tai Chi Sword (blunted)
  • Tambo
  • Tanto
  • Tessen
  • Tiger Fork
  • Togakure Bokken
  • Tonfa
  • Training Knives and Swords
  • Wing Chun Pole
  • Wooden Weapons
  • and more
Ready when you are. Real-time pricing, no obligation. Sign UpExplore Pricing

Questions & Answers

Is there a minimum number of students I have to register?

No. Register as many or as few students as you wish. Bulk registration saves money against pay-as-you-go, but we don’t mandate student insurance at all; you can join BMABA and register nobody if you like.

Who underwrites the policy?

Our specialist group policy is underwritten by a syndicate of insurers, as it provides access to several types of cover. We, the association, are the policy holder and you are assigned to the policy with membership. Core Public Liability is served via AXA, with Pulse Insurance serving Personal Accident. Full detail sits in our handbook articles on named cover, open allocation, and personal accident.

How does bulk pricing work?

Simply put, the biggest cost in assigning student covers is staff administration. Purchase in bulk and we pass that time saving straight back, because our team isn’t replicating admin the way they would for one-at-a-time registrations.

Is student insurance a legal requirement?

No. Plenty of associations imply that it is, but that simply isn’t true. It’s recommended for ensuring students are suitably insured and licensed, but nothing forces you to register students.

Can I charge my students more than the BMABA purchase price?

Sort of. Passing off just the student cover as costing more than it does? No, purely on ethics, and to save you the awkwardness of students Googling our pricing. But including it within an annual or recurring club membership fee that adds genuine value, and using it to justify that fee? One hundred percent yes.

Is there an age range on student cover?

Nothing is specified by the insurer. We recommend 4 to 75, with anything outside approved quickly in writing (email or chat is fine). We have plenty of three-year-olds on cover, supervised by a parent at all times, and students as old as 100.

Testimonials

What Do Our Members Say?

  • Matthew Johnson
    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
    2020 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"
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  • 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.
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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

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

Register Your First Students Today

Join thousands of clubs protecting more than 90,000 students through the UK’s leading not-for-profit student insurance and licensing scheme.

  • From £0.49 per student, per year
  • £1M Public Liability as standard
  • Instant digital licensing
  • Named or Open Allocation
  • Free club management platform
  • Price match guarantee
Sign Up Online

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.

Choosing the right association, or simply working out what support your club actually needs, isn’t always straightforward. 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, who know martial arts and genuinely want to help.

THINKING OF JOINING?

Still Thinking It Over?

Choosing an association isn’t a decision to rush, and we’d never ask you to. Our team is here to offer honest, straightforward advice with no pressure and no sales scripts.

Whether you’re comparing support, questioning the value of your current membership, or just want to talk things through, we’re happy to help, even if the answer is that we’re not the right fit for you.

We’re a full-time, professional team with nationally certified standards behind everything we do. 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 is a regulated, independently audited, multi-award-winning social enterprise, and one of the UK’s leading professional homes for independent martial arts.

We hold ISO 9001:2015 and 27001:2022 certification under UKAS accreditation, the same gold standard used to assess hospitals, universities and major corporations. We’re overseen by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies, with a legal asset lock that means our income is reinvested into grassroots martial arts, never distributed as profit. We’re also a CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) Educational Partner.

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. 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, supporting over 100,000 members across 200+ disciplines. Along the way we’ve earned national recognition, from awards in governance and inclusion to features across the BBC, ITV and The Guardian.

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

HOW MUCH COULD YOUR CLUB SAVE?

Cut costs. Simplify your club. Invest back into what matters.

Our membership model is simple. By consolidating essential services and tools they already need, many clubs save more than the cost of their membership alone. No hidden upgrades, no shareholder profit, just practical support delivered by a regulated, audited social enterprise.

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, included free with your membership. Because it’s funded by our not-for-profit mission rather than investors, there are no upsells, no hidden costs, and no per-student fees creeping in later. Just powerful, intuitive tools that stay free.

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

Why Do Thousands Choose BMABA?

What makes us different becomes clear the moment you look closely, from our award-winning governance to the depth of support we offer clubs of every size.

Whether it’s our industry-leading safeguarding standards, our not-for-profit mission, or powerful club technology funded purely by membership, there’s a reason more than 6,500 instructors and thousands of clubs across the UK put their trust in us.

— Stephanie Peacock MP, House of Commons Debate on Combat Sport Safety

"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.”

A VOICE FOR INDEPENDENT MARTIAL ARTS

Ministerial Commendation and Parliamentary Recognition

BMABA CIC has been formally recognised in the House of Commons as a leading voice on martial arts safety. During a Parliamentary debate on combat sport safeguarding, the Minister for Sport, Stephanie Peacock MP, highlighted the Association by name for our role in supporting independent and unaffiliated martial arts clubs to adopt the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts, helping to set consistent standards across the sector.

Following that debate, BMABA received a direct letter of commendation from the Minister, acknowledging our efforts to improve safeguarding and recognising the importance of our work in protecting children and young people in martial arts. This recognition at the highest levels of Government demonstrates the influence of our grassroots movement, and underlines the trust placed in BMABA to help shape the future of safe martial arts practice in the UK.

Stephanie Peacock MP © UK Parliament (Open Parliament Licence v3.0)

“I appreciate your ongoing efforts to make martial arts safer for children.”

— Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth

In her official response to BMABA, the Minister for Sport praised our work in raising safeguarding standards across the independent martial arts sector. She acknowledged our role in supporting unaffiliated clubs, described our input as “extremely useful” for Government policy development, and confirmed that our work will help inform the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s next steps in strengthening child safety in martial arts.

Built For The Sector - Not For Shareholders

BMABA wasn’t inherited or bought. It was built. And in 2025, we made the 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, surrendering nearly £2 million in private value to protect its mission for the long term. That means no shareholders, no dividends and no profiteering, just a legal, permanent commitment to community impact.

We’re a registered social enterprise, governed by the CIC Regulator, certified to ISO 9001:2015 and 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, and led by a multi-award winning social entrepreneur who believes martial arts should serve the many, not the few.

This isn’t a badge of convenience or a business dressed up as a cause. 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 website or are starting from scratch, we can take care of it for you. Our team can migrate your existing site or build a clean, professional new one designed around how your club actually operates, fully aligned with BMABA systems and standards.

Your website is built to do more than just look good. It can support online payments, club shops, enquiries and member journeys, while connecting seamlessly with club management, business tools and secure email. You also get direct one to one support from our developers to make sure everything is set up properly and works the way you need it to. All of this is included as part of your membership, with no extra charges.

Nationally Recognised Standards

Our Club Colours and RegulationReady 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 martial arts body, and one of just two organisations nationwide alongside Sport England’s own NGBs, granted the authority to issue SCiMA certification in this way.

No waiting. No third-party submissions. 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 no catches, no obligations and no hidden clauses.

Why? Because we believe you deserve to see first-hand what it feels like to be supported by an organisation that genuinely has your back. We know plenty of clubs have been let down before by associations that overpromised and underdelivered, so we’d rather show you than sell you.

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

Take the full year. Explore everything. Then decide for yourself.

Raising Standards, Protecting Clubs

With RegulationReady 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, operated under our ISO 9001:2015 and 27001:2022 certified processes, and recognised nationally through SCiMA.

This isn’t a policy pack gathering dust. Your safeguarding, leadership and compliance are checked dynamically against live data, 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.

We are a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, with active support for serving and veteran regular and reserve force members.

BMABA CIC is proud to hold the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management certification and 27001:2022 for Information Security Management Systems, issued under UKAS accreditation – the highest level of independent validation for quality management in the UK.

BMABA CIC is an Introducer Approved Representative (IAR) under FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) Registration 308626.

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