What BMABA CIC Offer

The Complete Membership Solution For Ambitious Martial Arts Clubs

From governance and safeguarding to tech, tools, reputation, and growth – BMABA CIC membership gives your club everything it needs to lead, thrive, and make a real impact.

No other martial arts body comes close to the depth of governance, tools, tech and support BMABA gives its members. 🖤

Insurance & Cover Industry-leading cover that protects your instructors, students, and reputation, backed by expert support and flexible options.
Growing Your Club From marketing tools to award-winning programmes, we give you the infrastructure to attract new students and retain them long-term.
Keeping Up With Tech Stay ahead with our digital-first ecosystem, from club dashboards to automation and real-time compliance alerts.
Meeting Legal Standards We help you meet DBS, safeguarding, GDPR, first aid and other requirements with ease, without the jargon or overwhelm.
Administration & Management Simplify the day-to-day with our club platform, built-in tools, and done-for-you resources, all backed by real human support.
Websites & Online Presence Get professionally built websites and digital assets that reflect your club's quality. No tech skills required.
Club Management Platform Manage students, classes, payments, communication, gradings and more, all from one powerful MyBMABA login.
Governance & Recognition Lead with credibility. Our RegulationReady framework, Club Colours award and national reputation help set your club apart.

Everything You Need To Run A World-Class Club In One Place

BMABA membership packs a punch. The idea is simple: everything your club will ever need, all in one place.

Technology

Award-Winning Technology & Digital Tools

BMABA's platform includes industry-leading technology designed specifically for martial arts clubs. From our AI-powered lesson planner and risk assessment builder, to SEO planning tools, student management, and even professional club website creation, our digital toolkit helps instructors save time, improve safety, and grow with confidence. All from one login.

Club Management Software
Billing & Invoicing
Free Club Websites
Free Expert Developer Help
Digital Tools, Resources & More

Assurance

Genuinely Audited & Assured Standards

We're not just another logo or membership badge. BMABA CIC is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, officially recognised by the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts (SCiMA), and independently audited every year. As a regulated social enterprise, our structure, services, and impact are built to withstand scrutiny, so you can trust what's behind the badge.

Certified to ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation
Regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies
Empowered to issue the Sport England-funded SCiMA Award

Resources

Practical Club Resources That Actually Help

From editable certificate templates and CPD course access to a lifetime student grade register for awarding nationally recognised gradings, we provide the kind of day-to-day tools clubs actually need. Need template documents for safeguarding? Customisable policies? Instructor registers? It's all included. Designed by instructors, for instructors.

Community

Instructor-Focused Support With A Solid Community

Running a martial arts club can be isolating, but it doesn't have to be. BMABA offers expert, human support when you need it, backed by a responsive helpdesk and a deep knowledge base. Beyond support, we foster a national community of like-minded instructors through forums, peer networking, and CPD pathways that encourage learning and collaboration. You're never left to figure it out alone.

The Platform

Run Your Entire Club From One Powerful Platform

Manage every part of your club with ease, from attendance tracking, belt progression, and grading records to student information, safeguarding, and compliance. Our Club Management Platform also includes full billing and automated payments, plus practical tools like incident log books, accounting modules, club planning tools, and more. Built by martial artists, for martial artists.

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Plus So Much More As Standard

Just some of the tools and resources included with membership.

Instructor Certification & Licensing
Student Insurance & Licensing
Free Instructor Qualifications
Safeguarding Qualifications
Lead Safeguarding (DSL) Award
Enhanced DBS Checks
First Aid Training
CHIMA (Concussion & Head Injury)
Instructor Training Pathway (ITP)
Cadet & Assistant Instructor Licensing
Trauma-Informed Coaching CPD
SEND Level 1 & 2 Awards
Mental Health First Aid CPD
Risk Management Awards
Safeguarding Code For Martial Arts
Safeguarding Model Policies
National Grading Integrity Scheme
Lifetime Student Grade Register (LSGR)
Stock Grading Certificates
Template Documents & Forms
Best Practice Guidance
Free Club Website (Flo by BMABA)
Link-In-Bio Site Builder
WordPress Hosting & Free Migrations
Professional Webmail
AI For Martial Arts
AI Lesson Planner & Pedagogy Tool
Dojo Planner (Syllabus & Curriculum)
Club Planner & Digital Whiteboard
Digital Risk Assessment Tool
Workspace For Martial Arts
Strategic Dashboard
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Toolkit
Website Analytics & Tracking Tools
Domains & DNS Management
CANVA by BMABA
Marketing Toolkit For Martial Arts
Free Taster Session Bookings
Club Management Support
Logos & Accreditation Marks
Printing & Design
Clothing & Uniform
Cyber Toolkit
Cash Grants & Funding
Budgeting Apps
Local & National Networking
National Club Listings & Advertising
Entrepreneur's Support
Event Management Checklists
Plus So Much More

The Differential

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

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

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
1-to-1 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

Explore The Platform

A Governing Body With Teeth. Backed By Standards, Not Politics.

BMABA isn’t just another association. We’re a nationally recognised, independently operated governing body with real authority. From our ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 certifications under UKAS accreditation and Cyber Essentials certification, to our authority to issue the Sport England-funded SCiMA Award, our credentials speak for themselves. We don’t answer to shareholders or political committees. We answer to standards, governance, and the martial arts community we serve. That’s why thousands of instructors trust us to represent them at the highest level, with the compliance, legitimacy, and backbone your club deserves.

A Free Club Website, And Even 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 as part of your membership.

Looking for Comprehensive, Affordable Insurance?

Whether it’s instructor, club, student or a combination – we have comprehensive insurances available that can help protect your club where it matters most.

More Than Just Insurance.

A Not-For-Profit Built To Serve UK Martial Arts.

When you join BMABA CIC, you’re not signing up to fund flashy offices or shareholder dividends. You’re joining a UK-based, not-for-profit organisation with a legal asset lock, which means our income is reinvested into grassroots martial arts, never distributed as profit.

That means your membership doesn’t just give you access to tools, training, and support. It helps provide scholarships for disadvantaged students, backs instructors facing hardship, and fuels national representation on safeguarding, regulation, and licensing. From championing clubs in Parliament to funding trauma-informed coaching and youth mentoring programmes, we don’t just promise impact. We deliver it, every day, alongside instructors like you.

Multi-Award Winning & Nationally Recognised

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!!
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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'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. More than £2.4 million generated to date, reinvested 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.

Common FAQs

Thinking Of Switching?

The questions clubs and instructors ask us most before making the move, answered honestly.

At BMABA, we believe that every martial arts club should have the freedom to operate in a way that reflects its values, vision, and style, without interference or unnecessary control.

That's why, although we operate under a framework certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, this framework exists only to ensure minimum standards are upheld in critical areas such as safeguarding, health and safety, ethics, and governance. It's not about micromanagement. It's about protecting the integrity of our sector.

Beyond this baseline, your club remains entirely autonomous. The way you run classes, structure your syllabus, develop lesson plans, and deliver gradings is entirely your decision. We don't oversee your pedagogy or teaching methods, and we'll never charge you to run your own gradings or courses, a practice still common in some associations.

In short, we exist to support, not to interfere. As long as your club operates in a safe, ethical and professional manner, you'll always retain full sovereignty and direction. We're here to help you grow, not tell you how to run your club.

Switching associations doesn't mean starting over. We know how much time, effort, and passion goes into achieving your instructor qualifications, and we respect that. At BMABA, we recognise existing grades, certifications, and experience through a transparent, fair assessment process. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or transitioning from another governing body, our goal is to uphold the credibility of your qualifications while supporting continued development.

Our framework allows for recognition of prior learning (RPL), mapped recognition, and, where needed, straightforward verification, without belittling or undermining your journey. We understand that your position as a lead instructor is earned, not just awarded, and we're here to support your status through formal records, professional recognition, and access to nationally respected CPD and certification pathways.

Our reputation is everything to us, and we work hard to protect it. That's why we proactively vet the credentials of every lead instructor joining under our name. It's not about gatekeeping; it's about upholding the integrity of our community and ensuring only genuine, qualified martial arts instructors gain BMABA affiliation. This safeguarding of standards not only protects our organisation. It protects your club, your students, and your reputation under our care.

Our in-house compliance team maintains a detailed vetting database containing thousands of known organisations, instructors, and governing bodies. In most cases, we can verify your credentials quickly upon sight of your certification. For those joining from ungraded or non-traditional styles, our Black Belt Equivalency Process offers a respectful, structured route to formal recognition, without forcing anyone to conform to a singular syllabus or style.

Transferring student licences, grades, and records can feel like one of the most complex parts of switching associations, but with BMABA, it doesn't need to be.

We offer total flexibility when it comes to student licensing, insurance, and record management. You're free to bring across your students with all previously awarded grades intact. We don't question your grading history or ask clubs to jump through hoops. It's a straightforward, respectful transfer.

We also stay out of your grading process entirely. Provided your club follows our National Grading Integrity & Ethics Policy, which promotes fair, merit-based progression, we don't interfere. You won't pay us for grading events, updates, or approvals. Grade promotions are a club-level affair, and you retain complete autonomy. That means no fees per grade, no need to notify us, and no bureaucracy. Just professional, compliant support that respects your teaching.

We know that for many clubs, cost is a deciding factor, but so is clarity. That's why BMABA operates with complete transparency and fairness when it comes to fees.

There are no hidden charges, mandatory upsells, or unexpected renewals. Our membership options are clearly priced and publicly available, and we don't charge for additional essentials like grade updates, club gradings, safeguarding audits, or issuing certificates, which are often monetised elsewhere.

What you see is what you get, and that includes access to our full suite of services: instructor credentials, insurance, safeguarding, digital tools, training resources, club management software, and much more. Even better, we offer a completely free membership tier to let you test the waters, with no obligation and no payment details required.

As a regulated Community Interest Company, our accounts and community interest reports are filed publicly at Companies House every year, and our legal asset lock means any surplus must be reinvested into our mission, never shareholders. You can be sure your fees are funding sector-wide impact, not lining pockets.

One of the first questions we're asked is what happens to existing insurance mid-term, and the honest answer is that it depends on your current provider's terms, so it's always worth checking your policy before you commit to anything.

The good news is that you don't have to time it perfectly. Many clubs join us on free membership first and simply align their move with their existing renewal date, so nothing overlaps and nothing lapses. Others switch straight away for the added cover and support. Either way, our team will happily talk through your current position, in confidence and without pressure, so you can move at whatever pace protects your club and your students best.

Usually far less time than people expect. Joining itself can be completed online in minutes, and once your lead instructor eligibility is verified, your membership, credentials and platform access follow quickly.

The wider migration, students, records, insurance, and any digital tools or website moves, happens entirely at your pace. Some clubs transfer everything in a week; others phase it over months around their renewal dates. There's no deadline, no pressure, and our team handles the heavy lifting wherever you want us to, including free website migrations if you're moving your online presence too.

Yes. There's no exclusivity requirement, and plenty of instructors hold membership with us alongside a style-specific association or National Governing Body, particularly where they compete under one body's rules while using our governance, insurance, tools and support day to day.

Dual affiliation is common, sensible, and entirely your choice. If you're unsure how the two would fit together in your circumstances, ask us and we'll give you an honest answer, including if we think staying put serves you better.

At BMABA, we believe that modern martial arts governance needs modern tools. That's why we've invested in building a comprehensive digital ecosystem to support your club's operations, without the need for third-party software or endless subscriptions.

From the moment you join, you'll gain access to MyBMABA, our member portal packed with features like digital student records, attendance tracking, licence and insurance management, renewal tools, club documents, and more. For those looking to go further, our Club Management Platform offers advanced capabilities like grading logs, event bookings, invoice generation, communication tools, and full student dashboards, all integrated and included with your membership tier.

Best of all, we don't upsell core functionality. Whether you're a traditional club or a progressive, tech-savvy organisation, you'll have access to secure, powerful, and easy-to-use tools built specifically for the martial arts sector. And because we build in-house, we listen to feedback and continually improve the system to meet your evolving needs, not those of a faceless software vendor.

Our tech doesn't replace good teaching. It amplifies it. Whether you're a pen-and-paper club or ready to go fully digital, we provide the systems, security, and support to help your club thrive in the modern era.

We pride ourselves on being one of the most responsive, supportive governing bodies in the industry. Whether you're a club with hundreds of students or an instructor just starting out, you deserve to feel heard, and supported, without delay, red tape, or scripted responses.

BMABA offers multi-channel, human-first support that includes email, live chat, helpdesk, and platform-based guidance, often with responses within minutes. Our internal systems allow us to keep your enquiries linked to your club's history, so we can provide relevant, informed help without asking you to repeat yourself.

More than just ticket replies, we offer true operational support, helping clubs with complex safeguarding queries, DBS and vetting challenges, insurance nuances, policy writing, funding applications, and more. Behind the scenes, our systems and dedicated staff mean nothing is lost or ignored, even during peak periods.

We don't believe support should be a premium add-on. It's core to what makes us different. That's why every BMABA club gets access to real help from real people, with the kind of care, professionalism and dedication we'd expect ourselves.

At BMABA, we believe that a governing body should be more than just a service provider. It should be a community and a source of recognition for the incredible work instructors and clubs do on the ground.

We're proud to foster one of the most inclusive, politics-free communities in UK martial arts. Whether you're teaching in a village hall or running a multi-discipline academy, you'll find peers, mentors, and allies across our digital platforms, community spaces, and member forums.

We also go the extra mile to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our members. From national awards and public-facing club recognition to media exposure and charity campaigns, our network creates visibility for your work, not just within the martial arts world, but across wider community and social impact spaces too.

BMABA isn't just somewhere to register. It's a place to belong, to be seen, and to be supported.

AWARDS

Awards That Reflect Our Impact, Not Just Our Ambition

We’re proud to have received some of the most respected accolades in UK sport, governance, and business. Not as vanity badges, but as proof of the genuine impact we’re having on the martial arts sector. From national governing body awards to entrepreneurial leadership and digital excellence, our recognition speaks to the depth, integrity, and innovation we bring to the table. These awards affirm that we’re not just talking about change. We’re delivering it, at scale, for the benefit of our members and the wider community.

Not Entirely Convinced?

We get it. Martial Arts Governance is messy. So we invite you to try BMABA CIC completely risk free with a year’s free affiliate membership, so you can put us to the test.