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Multi-Award Winning

Specialist Martial Arts Club Insurance For Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Comprehensive cover for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) clubs — from striking to grappling, cage work to cross-training — all with licensing, governance and compliance built-in.

BMABA CIC

The Smarter Way To Insure & Licence Your Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club

Martial Arts Club Insurance That Works As Hard As You Do

At BMABA CIC, we provide comprehensive, affordable, and flexible martial arts insurance designed around what real clubs and instructors actually need. Our cover isn’t just “off the shelf” — it’s built on more than a decade of hands-on industry leadership by a not-for-profit organisation that actively supports and advocates for UK martial arts. From instructors and students to equipment and businesses, we offer a single, easy-to-manage solution that supports your club’s insurance, compliance, safeguarding, and growth — all from one place.

As a UKAS-accredited ISO 9001:2015 audited organisation and an FCA-registered Introducer Appointed Representative, you can trust that our governance is as strong as our values. With more than 100,000 members supported across 6,500+ instructors, assistants, and volunteers from over 3,000 clubs, our cover is trusted by a vast and diverse community of martial arts professionals across the UK.

  • Flexible & Affordable

    Choose from simple monthly or annual plans, with no extra charges for multiple styles or weapons. You get scaleable coverage tailored to your club’s size and activity—whether you’re running one class or many.

  • Insurance + Membership = One Package

    Your policy isn’t standalone. It includes full membership access—CPD training, safeguarding tools, licensing, club software, digital certificates, compliance dashboards, and more—all with no additional fees.

  • Expert Guidance, No Pressure

    We provide clear, jargon-free advice before you sign up, walk you through what’s covered, and guide you through claims if ever needed. No surprises—just straightforward support.

  • Martial Arts-Specific Protection

    Our cover is crafted exclusively for martial arts instructors and clubs—public liability, professional indemnity, student liability, personal accident, contents, abuse cover, and employer’s liability. It’s all backed by AXA and shaped by over a decade of martial arts governance experience.

  • Regulated, Accredited & Impact-Led

    We’re a UKAS-accredited ISO 9001:2015 audited and FCA‑registered Introducer Appointed Representative, plus a multi‑award‑winning social enterprise. Our standards, transparency, and social mission set us apart.

  • Trusted by 3,000+ Clubs

    More than 100,000 members supported by 6,500+ instructors, assistants & volunteers trust our insurance and membership. From grassroots dojos to full academies across all martial arts styles.

Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised

Why MMA Clubs Choose BMABA

What sets us apart?

MMA clubs don’t follow one rulebook — and that’s exactly why so many struggle to find insurers or associations who truly understand the sport. From cage-based full contact to hybrid gyms blending BJJ, Muay Thai, wrestling, and beyond, most providers can’t keep up — and that can leave you vulnerable.

We’ve built our governance, cover, and support around the complexity and evolution of MMA. That means no assumptions, no missing compliance, and no blanket policies that don’t reflect your club. Just clear, robust, style-aware protection — built for MMA.

Full Contact & Hybrid Cover Without The Red Tape

MMA is hands-on. We don’t hide behind clauses or grey areas. Our cover supports stand-up and ground-based contact, sparring, grappling, and hybrid instruction — all clearly written into your policy.

Governance That Moves With The Sport

MMA evolves fast. Our compliance systems aren’t stuck in the past. Whether you run MMA-Fitness classes, cage-based sparring, or youth self-defence, we’ve got the licensing and governance tools to support your model — without forcing you to conform to outdated templates.

Black Belt Equivalency For Hybrid Experience

We understand your instructors may hold belts across multiple disciplines — or none at all. That’s why we offer a flexible but robust Black Belt Equivalency process, giving experienced coaches a legitimate, recognised pathway based on their track record, not paperwork.

No Politics. No Drama. Just Support.

We don’t get involved in how you train or who you affiliate with. Whether you’re a local gym or a national brand, we offer expert guidance, not interference. You run your club. We’ve just got your back.

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.

That means 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.

Available Cover

Explore pricing and build your own bespoke club cover package.

Select what you need, leave out what you don’t. Join the community.

More Than Just Insurance — A Complete Club Ecosystem Included

Your club cover comes with expert tools, compliance support, licensing, training, and governance — all included as standard, with no hidden fees.

Flexible & Affordable

You can pick and choose what you need and leave off what you don’t, choosing from pay monthly or pay annually.

Build Your Own Club Package

Fully made to measure your unique club, because no two dojos are the same.

Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised

Testimonials

What do our members say?

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’ve never taken shortcuts or silver spoons — but we’ve earned recognition at the highest levels of UK sport, including Sport England, DCMS, and national media, purely on merit. Every pound we generate — more than £2,100,000 to date — is reinvested directly into the UK martial arts community.

No gimmicks. No politics. No hidden shareholders.

We’ve built one of the UK’s most trusted martial arts ecosystems from the ground up. That means a comprehensive, style-agnostic governance system. Sector-leading vetting, 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.

CLUB MANAGEMENT & BILLING

A completely free, easy-to-use club management system that makes running your club simple.

ClubManager by BMABA is our comprehensive, all-in-one club management platform — built exclusively for our members and completely free to use. It handles everything from student records, grading, billing, and attendance through to safeguarding, compliance, finances, budgeting, communications, and so much more — all under one simple, intuitive system.

Professional, Expert Certification & licencing

Whether it’s your student licence slips for the next event, or your instructor insurance documentation for the primary school you’re about to start teaching at; you need to know that the certification you hand over is professional, and will have your back.

We’ve issued over 1,000,000 certificates since 2012, across a range of insurances, licences and memberships and all of our documentation – both digital and in print – looks the part, and helps you do your part.

With enhanced security features like UV stamps, embossed foils and unique identification numbers linked to national instructor registers, there’s nobody else in UK martial arts who can help do the quality of your teaching justice like BMABA,

Why Join?

Because We’re a Martial Arts Trade Body — Not a Corporate Insurer That Doesn’t Understand What You Do

Insurers don’t speak up for martial arts — they sell policies. When the sector faces serious pressure — whether it’s COVID lockdowns, safeguarding reform triggered by coroner inquests, or growing calls for national regulation — most insurers stay silent. They won’t fight for independent clubs, push for better standards, or represent your voice where it matters.

BMABA CIC is different.

We lead from the front — representing our clubs at the highest levels with Sport England, DCMS, media and beyond. We don’t just react, we help shape the future of martial arts in the UK. Whether it’s safeguarding, concussion protocols, or governance reform, we’re the voice for instructors who would otherwise be left out of the conversation.

And because we know how unclear insurance can be, we don’t just hand you a lengthy policy document. We translate everything into plain, martial arts-specific guidance through our handbook — so you know exactly what’s covered, without the guesswork.

Monthly or Annually

We’ll support your cashflow with flexible payment options — pay monthly or annually, whichever suits your club best.

Bespoke Arrangements

Can’t find what you need? We’ve quoted and configured countless unique club setups. If your structure is a bit different, we’ll do our best to help.

Always Updated

We’re constantly releasing new features, training, resources, and tech. All existing members benefit — not just the new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you can’t find the answer to what you’re looking for, please jump onto wen chat and we’ll be happy to help.

Why should I use BMABA CIC over a standalone insurer?

We’re not here to tell you what you should do — that decision is entirely yours. What we can say is that BMABA CIC is a UKAS-accredited, ISO 9001:2015 audited, not-for-profit association that’s recognised across the martial arts sector for our governance, safeguarding, and compliance leadership.

When you join us, you don’t just get an insurance policy — you gain access to a full membership package including licensing, instructor support, safeguarding training, live verification, digital certificates, club management software, and more. All of this is included at no extra cost, with the total price typically equal to what you’d pay for insurance alone with a standalone provider.

That’s possible because we’re a not-for-profit — we don’t pay shareholders, we reinvest into better tools, resources, and support for the martial arts community.

Can I see the policy terms and specific details before joining?

Yes, absolutely — and we actively encourage that. We publish comprehensive handbook articles explaining each part of the cover in plain English. Each insurance product also includes access to the insurer’s policy schedule and wording documents, so you can review everything carefully before committing.

We want you to be informed, confident, and in control of your decision.

You can explore the broader handbook from the below links, but here are the core handbook articles that relate to most aspects of cover being discussed here;

Named Instructor Insurance

Open Allocation Instructor Insurance

(Named vs Open Explained)

Named Student Cover

Open Allocation Student Cover

Business (Club) Insurance

BMABA Eligibility Criteria

I don't know what I need — can you help?

We understand that insurance can feel overwhelming, especially if this is your first time arranging it. While we can’t offer specific insurance advice — as it’s a regulated activity — we can help explain your options clearly.

Most small clubs typically only require instructor public liability, which we provide as standard alongside professional indemnity and abuse cover. You may also choose to insure students, but there’s no pressure to include anything you don’t need.

Our team is here to talk through your options and help you understand what works best for your situation.

I don't want named policies — I want blanket cover. Can you do that?

We avoid calling it “blanket cover” as that term can be misleading, but yes — we offer a flexible model called open allocation that works in a similar way.

For students, you don’t need to name each individual. You can simply cover the number of active students at your club, provided you keep your records accurate. Our free club management platform can help you manage this easily.

For instructors, you can purchase the number of active instructor insurances needed at any one time. For example, if 10 instructors rotate but only 2 are teaching at once, you can hold 10 memberships and 2 active insurances. It’s a flexible and cost-effective way to protect your team.

What else is provided alongside the cover?

We offer one of the most complete membership packages in martial arts — and it’s all included with your insurance at no extra cost.

This includes a free club management platform, free custom-built website with design and migration, branded email accounts, digital risk assessments, safeguarding tools, policy builders, CPD training, licensing systems, and much more. We also provide SEO and growth support, automation tools, and access to hundreds of resources — all designed to help your club thrive.

Still have questions?

I you can’t find answers to your questions in our FAQ section, we’d love to connect with you either on web chat or here.

A free club website and even the time with a developer, included.

We provide a complete club management platform with built-in billing, communication tools, student records, and more. And on top of that, we’ll also build you a fully hosted, professionally designed WordPress website — for free. This includes layout design, migration, and ongoing site management, all included as part of your membership.

What Cover Does &
What Its For

Public Liability (PL) Cover

Public Liability (PL) Cover

Public Liability is the most essential type of insurance for any instructor, club, or student. It protects you if a member of the public — including students, parents, spectators, or bystanders — is injured or their property is damaged due to negligence during a martial arts activity.

Cover Levels:

  • Instructors: £5,000,000 as standard (optional upgrade to £10,000,000)

  • Clubs: £5,000,000

  • Students: £1,000,000, £2,000,000, or £5,000,000

Example:
A student trips over equipment left out during a class and suffers an injury, or a parent’s phone is damaged during a demonstration. Public Liability Insurance would cover the legal costs and compensation arising from such claims.

This is the most common type of insurance claim in martial arts and is widely considered essential for everyone involved in delivering instruction.

We Can Help Upskill Your Team. Or Not. It's Your Choice.

Inclusive in any fees paid is access to MyBMABA for you and any of your instructors, assistants and volunteers. This can be used to provide exclusive access to content, courses and qualifications from safeguarding and coaching to first aid and concussion management.

If that doesn’t work for your club, you can decide not to grant your team MyBMABA access. It’s entirely up to you.

We'll Help Tackle That Mountain of Admin!

Whether it’s setting up a management account for your club secretary can login and take care of student registrations, through to the completely inclusive Club Management Platform; we’ve got dozens of resources and systems in place that can help tackle the issue of admin.

With you every step of the way

We're confident there's nobody else in UK martial arts doing what we're doing. From the core cover and licencing needs through to essentials like DBS checks and safeguarding, through to the latest technology - we're in your corner.

Often for less than an insurer's standard premium we can offer so much more. One place. One Membership. From a trade body built on reputation and renowned for helping clubs grow professionally and fairly.

01

The Basics

Insurance, licensing, DBS checks, safeguarding, first aid - the core stuff you need to function on a day to day basis. We've got it.

02

Expanding

Whether it's growing your student base or taking on private tuition. Corporate clients through to events; we'll help you expand.

03

The Moonshot

With the latest technology and services - such as AI, SEO, Analytics, and so much more. We'll help you shoot for the moon.

Multi-Award Winning & As Seen On Various Platforms

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

FREE Club Management Software Exclusively Built By Us, Just For Our Clubs

Our MyBMABA Club Management Platform combines club management, billing and marketing into one place. It’s free for all of our members and comes with a tonne of essential and groundbreaking features as standard.

LEARN MORE >>

  • Attendance & Grade Tracking
  • Student Records Management
  • Class Bookings & Timetables
  • Flexible Payments & Memberships
  • Grading Certificates Generator
  • Licence Slip & Documents Generator
  • Customised Branding & Functionality
  • Data Freedom & Ownership
  • Manage Events & Competitions
  • Student Portal & Member's Content
  • Concussion & RtP Management
  • Digital Incident Log Book
  • Digital Risk Assessments
  • Task Management
  • Registrations & Waivers

More questions answered.

Broader Questions

How much we charge depends on how big the club is, and how many people (instructors and students) are needed, as well as the specifics of the insurance you may or may not want. All of our pricing is transparent and you can ‘have a play’ with pricing in full from here.

No, it’s not. We cover based on a ‘per instructor’ or ‘per student’ basis – so anyone covered under our group cover policy can teach or train in any location, under any club and in any style provided it’s a BMABA club.

We fortunately (touch wood!) suffer very few claims. This is in part because we’re a professional organisation that only attracts top-quality instructors, but it’s also (we think) due to us being absolutely clear on what insurance will and won’t cover. We don’t leave that sort of thing up to chance.

So far we’ve had an excellent experience with AXA (our insurer) who have never failed to honour a claim process for a registered instructor or club who is on-side with our guidelines.

None.

Provided you meet our minimum standards for safeguarding, professionalism, and ethics, you retain full sovereignty over your club. We don’t interfere with your gradings, your syllabus, or your internal structure — and you’ll never be told how to teach, who to promote, or what to charge.

Unlike the old boys’ networks, we don’t sit on your grading panels, insist on uniform standards, or try to bleed your club dry. We don’t charge you £20+ per student to issue insurance, and we won’t force you to use branded certificates or follow a rigid syllabus.

From day to day, most of our work runs silently in the background — things like technology infrastructure, regulatory compliance, policy development, websites, and safeguarding frameworks. You’ll never be micromanaged, and you’re free to use as much or as little of our guidance, support and tools as you like.

Insurance is optional. You grade your students your way. You decide what, where and how you teach.

The only time we step in is if something threatens the credibility of martial arts, the safety of students, or the integrity of our membership — for example, serious safeguarding failures or poor-quality coaching that reflects on the wider community.

Otherwise, we remain a silent partner — here to support you with a toolkit of essentials and enhancements, while respecting your club’s independence every step of the way.

There really isn’t one. Our business model is built on scale. We’ve worked hard over since 2012 to build a substantial membership base which means lots and lots of clubs paying very small amounts into ‘one big pot’. This allows us to use scale of economy to invest in technology, resources, insurances and so on – and ultimately, that cost saving is passed back to our members. In turn, we grow. And so on. 

That said, we understand your scepticism and actually welcome it. Exploring our website or contacting our team is the best way to ‘size us up’ but we also offer a year’s free affiliate membership too, should you want to have a look ‘under the hood’ before you jump.

Absolutely. We wouldn’t let you join without doing so. Please find the below links to our handbook, which although primarily designed to help instructors and clubs already with us understand cover and terms, we think it’s also a really helpful and transparent way for you to see the details and get a feel for how well we understand what we do;

Links to the Group Cover proof of cover schedule and full policy wording is included in the above articles too, so you can do your own deep-diving.

The fastest way to get answers (aside from reading our website fully) is to use web chat, located at the bottom of your screen. Alternatively, you can reach us here too.

What Does Our Membership Offer?

BMABA is one of the UK’s leading multi-style, independent associations for martial arts instructors, coaches, senseis, and clubs.

We’re proudly politics-free, community-led, and entirely independent — with a mission to modernise and raise the standards of martial arts across the UK. Our focus is on empowering instructors and clubs, not enforcing outdated structures.

What sets us apart is the sheer depth and value of our membership. We don’t just provide certification or insurance — we offer a complete toolkit to help your club grow, stay compliant, and thrive. From licensing and safeguarding to digital tools, templates, and expert support, it’s all included.

That means access to:

  • A free custom-built club website

  • Printable certificates, policy templates, and legal documents

  • Club and student licensing, insurance options, and syllabus recognition

  • Networking, national campaigns, printing services, and much more

It’s all managed in one place, with one login and one simple renewal. No politics. No fluff. Just a complete, professional ecosystem designed around real instructors and clubs.

We’re confident you won’t find another UK martial arts association offering as much value, support, and independence — for so little.

From a free club website, marketing advice and business support through to template risk assessments, stock grading certificates and printing – our membership provides you with access to dozens of resources and tools to help you grow your club and retain students.

From instructor certificates and recognition of grade documentation through to vocational Dan gradings, syllabus licensing, instructor licenses and more; our membership provides access to fully comprehensive licensing provisions.

Access affordable instructor, student and club insurance, as well as access to discounted first aid training, enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding qualifications and more, exclusively for BMABA clubs and instructors.

We’ve been strictly politics free since 2012 and pride ourselves on running a community led organisation on the sound principles of good governance and genuine transparency.

You remain able to run your club with absolute independence, free of interference. What’s more, you’ll be backed up by our multi-award winning governing body with certification, licensing, endorsement, business support and more as standard.

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Ready to see what BMABA can do for you?

Explore our membership options and discover the perfect package for your club — with all the tools, support, and flexibility you need, and nothing you don’t.

Disciplines Covered.

We can provide cover for more than 180 disciplines and styles, and this list can be revised with our insurer on request where-ever a genuine discipline or style 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)
BMABA Approved Disciplines & Styles
Bojitsu
Bojuka
Bojutsu
Bokator
Bokh (Mongolian Wrestling)
Brazilian Ju 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
Ch`uan Fa
Ch`uan 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
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (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

JOIN A COMMUNITY OF 100,000+

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Explore pricing, membership and cover and – if you’re happy – sign up online. 

Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised

Not sure if we're the right fit for you?
We're here to answer any questions with impartial, expert advice.

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

Representing Over 100,000 Members Across 94 Disciplines

A completely free club management system.

We know. What’s the catch? Well, we’re a trade body for martial arts, not a profit-hungry corporation. We know how important the latest tech is in keeping our clubs kicking and – ultimately – that keeps us going too!

FREE Club Management Software Exclusively Built By Us, Just For Our Clubs

ClubManager by BMABA is our in-house, professionally developed Club Management solution. It’s free for all of our members and comes with a tonne of essential and groundbreaking features as standard.

LEARN MORE >>

  • Attendance & Grade Tracking
  • Student Records Management
  • Class Bookings & Timetables
  • Flexible Payments & Memberships
  • Grading Certificates Generator
  • Licence Slip & Documents Generator
  • Customised Branding & Functionality
  • Data Freedom & Ownership
  • Leads & Prospects Management
  • Online Video Training Library
  • 1to1 Tuition Management & Billing
  • Events Management & Ticketing
  • Secure Safeguarding Case Management
  • Manage Events & Competitions
  • Student Portal & Member's Content
  • Concussion & RtP Management
  • Digital Incident Log Book
  • Digital Risk Assessments
  • Task Management
  • Registrations & Waivers
  • Built-In Club Community & Forums
  • Manual Invoicing
  • Accounting & Budgeting
  • Staff Management & Staffroom
  • Calendar & Scheduling
  • Business Management & Planning
  • Easy To Use Parent Accounts

Membership with BMABA is so much more than just a piece of paper.

From template grading certificates and draft 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 – even club management platforms and web hosting. We can cover it under just one simple, affordable membership.

Founded in 2012 by the now Multi-Award Winning Social Entrepreneur & Life-Long Martial Artist, Giovanni Soffietto.

Frustrated by a governing structure in martial arts that failed to look forward to the future, Giovanni setup BMABA in 2012. Aged just 20 with only £20 of ‘start-up capital’ BMABA comes from humble beginnings.

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. We now turnover more than £1,000,000 and support tens of thousands of martial artists across the UK.

"BMABA give away belts for cash"

"BMABA don't care about safeguarding"

"BMABA are so unprofessional"

Over the past 15 years we’ve heard so much of this sort of nonsense from the ‘old boys’ associations.

The truth couldn’t be further than their lazy, fear-filled assertions. We’re a disruptor, renowned for our professionalism and governance, but they wouldn’t want you to know that. 

In an industry so full of cowboys, we don’t expect you to take our word for any of this. Dig beneath the surface, and see for yourself.

Membership To BMABA Is So Much More Than 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.

Club Colours Award That Exceeds Sport England’s Safeguarding Standards

Our Club Colours Award process not only issues a ‘school of excellence’ mark to clubs who hold it, but the safeguarding oversight has been mapped against SCiMA and then approved by Sport England which allows us to automatically issue the ‘Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts’ award to every club that holds our ‘tick mark’. We receive zero funding to run this, but we ensure it’s completely free for every single BMABA member to access.

We’re the only independent association who can offer this.

Certification, Insurance & Evidence With You, On The Go.

Tired of waiting weeks for hand-written documents in the post? Access your BMABA instructor’s documentation, student license slips, insurance certification and even your own submitted DBS checks, first aid qualifications and other criteria 24/7.

Our systems provide you with access to all of this documentation on the go. Be it from a mobile, our app or a desktop – so you can access, download and share your certification when you need it most.

BMABA App

Available for free on Android and OS devices, the BMABA app allows instructors, volunteers and assistant instructors to access the latest updates, resources, guidance, community, forums and loads more. Bring your association, along with all your digital certification – with you in your pocket.

Industry Renowned Qualifications & Training

We’re always building on our library of industry-leading awards and qualifications. This includes our Level 1 and Level 2 instructor qualifications, our Safeguarding & Lead Safeguarding qualifications, our First Aid Award, Club Colours Award, Club Management Qualifications, Risk Management, Concussion & Head Injury, and so much more. 

All online and accessible 24/7 from any device.

The Ultimate, FREE, Club Management Platform

We provide all members with access to exclusive student management software which will help you track attendance, see student details, show your class schedule, accept online bookings, run a club shop, update your members with club news, run a members’ only area and so much more. All completely free of charge.

From SEO, AI and Analytics through to content publishing, class scheduling, online incident log book entries and so, so much more. It’s all inclusive at no extra cost making BMABA the industry leaders in affordable tech solutions for martial arts clubs.

£1,000 Of Tools, Rolled Into One Affordable Membership

From template grading certificates, safeguarding policies and club registration forms to our online logo designer, club accreditation marks and premium club finder listings. BMABA Club Cash Grants and designated safeguarding lead services through to marketing plans, SEO platforms, AI software, Wordpress websites, web hosting and so, so much more. It’s all inclusive and wrapped up into your membership fee so you can access more services with us than anywhere else without paying a penny more.

We Grant Up To £500 To Help Clubs Make Charitable Impact & Grow

Our BMABA Club Grants Scheme donates up to £500 per grant to clubs up and down the UK of all sizes. It helps to make a difference to clubs who want to make a charitable impact, purchase new kit to offer safer classes, or need emergency support in times of crisis. 

We’ve funded research into safeguarding failures in MMA, classes for women and girls at risk of abuse, scholarships for children living in poverty, new mats and punchbags for clubs wanting to safer classes, and so much more.

All self funded. From our profits, back into our community.

Ready to take your club to new heights?

It's in our slogan; "To High Places By Narrow Roads".

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

Not entirely convinced?

Try us for free for 12 months, with no obligation.

There’s absolutely no obligation to commit beyond 12 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 yourself.

Thinking of switching?

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.

We have a real team based out of a real office.

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.

HQ

BMABA. Suite I & K, The Old Bakery, Golden Square, Petworth. GU28 0AP

The UK's Leading and Largest Multi-Style Trade 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 and NHS front line staff are all entitled to 10% discounts across all of our memberships for live. 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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