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The National Standard

Martial arts safeguarding.
Done properly, nationally.

BMABA runs one of the most comprehensive safeguarding operations in UK sport: a dedicated professional team, national frameworks, specialist casework and purpose-built technology, protecting students across 100,000+ members and around 1,500 clubs.

Not A Policy On A Shelf. A National Operation.

For many organisations, safeguarding means a PDF and a promise. For us, it’s a professional operation at the centre of everything we govern: a trained specialist team, live compliance frameworks, national policy, purpose-built software, sector-leading training and real casework, including support that reaches well beyond our own membership. It’s why clubs, parents, local authorities and government departments alike treat BMABA as the reference point for safeguarding in independent martial arts.

The People Behind It

A Dedicated, Professionally Led Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding at BMABA is led by Helen Martin, our Head of Governance and Safeguarding and the association’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, heading a dedicated team of trained DSLs and compliance specialists. This isn’t a helpline bolted onto a membership body: it’s a professional safeguarding function with clear accountability, working to documented procedures inside our management systems certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation.

The team’s work spans everything from advising a club through a difficult disclosure to shaping national standards. We’re in active engagement with DCMS, Sport England and CIMSPA on safeguarding, event safety and workforce registration for the independent sector, and our specialist expertise means we’re increasingly the first call when martial arts knowledge is needed on a case, wherever it arises.

Beyond Our Membership

Specialist Casework, Including LADO Support

Safeguarding doesn’t stop at a membership boundary, and neither do we. Our team takes on cases that don’t relate to our own members, assisting Local Authority Designated Officers and statutory partners with the martial arts expertise that generalist safeguarding professionals understandably lack: the norms of contact sport, grading cultures, instructor-student dynamics and club structures. It’s quiet, serious work, and it’s part of what being the sector’s governing body should mean.

  • Martial arts expertise for LADOs & statutory partners
  • Casework support beyond our own membership
  • Documented, audited procedures behind every case
Purpose-Built Technology

Unified Safeguarding Co-ordination

Behind the team sits specialist software built for unified safeguarding co-ordination: bringing reports, records, compliance data and case management into one secure system. Concerns raised through club reporting tools, register flags and direct contact all land in one place, triaged and tracked by professionals, protected inside our ISO 27001 certified information security systems. Nothing falls between the cracks, because there are no cracks between systems.

  • One secure system for reports, cases & compliance
  • Professional triage & tracking of every concern
  • Protected by certified information security
For Your Club

Every Way We Help Clubs Safeguard Well

01

Technology

Free, secure safeguarding reporting, register-wide flags, incident logging and complete student records, built into our free Club Management Platform.

02

Training & CPD

Sector-leading qualifications, from foundational Child Safeguarding for every instructor, assistant and volunteer to the advanced Designated Safeguarding Lead award.

03

Frameworks & Resources

Our National Safeguarding Policy, seventeen managed policies, model documents and RegulationReady’s live compliance framework, maintained centrally, always current.

04

Skills & Expert Backup

DSL registers, practical guidance, and a professional team behind your club when something genuinely difficult happens. You are never handling it alone.

05

Support For Your Parents & Students

Our public safeguarding hub gives parents, students and stakeholders a clear, independent place to seek help and raise concerns directly with our team.

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
  • ISO 9001:2015 Certified

    The world's most recognised quality management standard. Our processes, governance and conduct are independently audited every year under UKAS accreditation, the same benchmark used for hospitals, universities, and major corporations.

  • ISO 27001:2022 Certified

    The international standard for information security, held alongside ISO 9001 as a UK martial arts first. Your club's data, your members' details and our digital infrastructure sit inside an independently audited security management system.

  • Regulated Community Interest Company

    We're overseen by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies, with a legal asset lock that means our income must serve our community purpose forever. Not-for-profit as a legal structure, not a slogan.

  • Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts

    The Sport England-approved national safeguarding standard. We hold organisational certification and are the only independent martial arts body authorised to issue SCiMA certification to clubs in-house, through our free Club Colours programme.

  • CIMSPA Training Provider Partner

    Recognised by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. Our CPD and qualifications are developed to CIMSPA's national professional standards, with programmes submitted for formal endorsement, confirmed course by course.

  • Cyber Essentials Certified

    A UK Government-backed scheme confirming we hold essential security controls to protect our systems, data, and users from common cyber threats. A key mark of trust when handling sensitive safeguarding and membership data.

  • Certified Social Enterprise

    Independently certified by Social Enterprise UK as a genuine business for good. Our income is reinvested into grassroots martial arts, youth projects, and instructor support, not shareholders or private interests.

  • UK Register of Learning Providers

    A recognised organisation on the UK Government's official Register of Learning Providers under UKPRN 10098149, affirming our legitimacy as an education and training provider able to work credibly with funding bodies, employers, and public agencies.

  • Registered With The ICO

    Legally registered under UK data protection law, meeting our obligations under the Data Protection Act and UK GDPR. Together with ISO 27001, it protects the personal data of every member, club, and partner we work with.

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
Testimonials

What Do Our Members Say?

  • D Hurt
    10 Out Of 10
    Well I was with another organisation for 4 years and came across these guys. They have great vetting, were really helpful at every stage of my application, the actual app is amazing with training opportunities for members, also student membership. All round 10 out of 10.
    Facebook recommendation
  • Peter R
    They Go Above And Beyond
    Been a member for a number of years and they go above and beyond to support their members. Everything from safeguarding and legalities to certified courses, websites, club manager software, just to name a few of the benefits.
    Google review
  • Giles H
    Exemplary Organisation
    A huge resource of helpful information and support for those setting up or running a martial arts club. Well put together coaching courses and great safeguarding advice and policies. Really pleased to have access to this exemplary organisation to help me with my new kickboxing club.
    Google review
  • VORTEX Martial Arts & Fitness
    More Than Just A Governing Body
    Simply amazing. BMABA are more than just a governing body for martial arts, they are a team of incredible people, always willing to go the extra mile to make sure you feel supported. Incredible customer service, amazing response time, and an honour to be governed by.
    Google review
  • Lena S
    Professional And High Quality
    Previously searched for similar organisations but after speaking to Giovanni over the phone I knew that BMABA was the right one for me. He was very informative, patient and had a lot of time to answer any questions. Extremely reassuring and helpful. Their website and documentation are also very professional and high quality.
    Google review
  • Luke T
    Far More Helpful Than Any Other Association
    Having been a part of BMABA for a short while, I can say that already they have been far more helpful than any other association I have been involved in. After 10 years of martial arts, I hope to continue instructing under BMABA for many years.
    Google review
  • Chris J
    Great People To Work With
    Great people to work with.
    Facebook recommendation
  • Matt J
    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
    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"
    Facebook
  • 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.
    Facebook

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