Concussion & head injury.
Managed properly.
Setting the gold-standard protocols for safety in martial arts, with expert-led policy, real-time tools and first-of-their-kind training. Recognised across the UK, and trusted under pressure.
Safety, Embedded In How We Govern
Martial arts should build discipline, confidence and resilience, and safety must be embedded in that journey. At BMABA, concussion and head injury management is not an afterthought or a reactive measure: it’s a structured, evidence-informed system built into how we govern and support our clubs. Our comprehensive Concussion and Head Injury Management Policy is designed specifically for the realities of martial arts training and competition, practical, accessible and applicable across styles. Policy alone isn’t enough, though, so we’ve invested in the infrastructure that turns standards into action: sector-leading training, first-of-its-kind Return-to-Participation software, and external clinical review at the highest level.
Reviewed & Approved By Professor Mike Loosemore MBE
Lead Consultant Sports Physician at the UK Sports Institute, and Professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine at University College London’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health.
Our Concussion and Head Injury Management Policy, specifically, has been independently reviewed by Professor Loosemore. He confirmed he was happy to approve the policy, and considered it capable of withstanding scrutiny from a panel of his peers. That level of independent clinical review strengthens the medical integrity of the framework every BMABA club operates under, and it’s a standard of external validation that remains rare anywhere in grassroots sport.
Why Concussion Management Matters
Head injuries aren’t just a risk in the ring. They happen in grappling, takedowns, sparring drills and routine training, and concussion remains one of the most misunderstood, under-managed risks in martial arts, with consequences that can be lifelong.
Governance & Expertise
A national concussion and head injury policy framework, written by experts, independently clinically reviewed, and recognised as a UK sector leader.
The CHIMA Award
The first concussion qualification of its kind for independent martial arts, already completed by more than 1,000 clubs.
Return-to-Play Tracking
On-the-night triage tools and automated Return-to-Play tracking, built directly into our free Club Management Platform.
Regulated & Respected
Certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, operating to FCA standards, trusted by 6,500+ instructors.
We Didn’t Wait To Be Asked. We Never Have.
Protocols In Place
Long before concussion reached the national conversation, we had comprehensive concussion protocols in place across our membership, because safety was never an optional extra.
CHIMA Launches
We self-funded and launched the UK’s first Concussion & Head Injury Management Award for independent martial arts. Over one thousand clubs completed concussion training through us, more than a year before the issue ever made headlines.
Stepping Forward For Events
After the tragic death of a teenager in the ring, we chose to extend beyond grassroots recreational provision and put ourselves forward for event oversight: launching the Event Hub with full compliance built in, dedicated Concussion Officers at every event, PASA safety advocates, and free event insurance.
Shaping The National Standard
We’ve since spoken with DCMS on multiple occasions and with Sport England, providing feedback on the work we’re doing to keep events safe and to put concussion safety training front and centre. When the media needed a trusted voice on concussion in martial arts, they came to us, and through our seat on the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group, that voice keeps working for every club.
The CHIMA Award: Concussion Training Built For Martial Arts
The Concussion & Head Injury Management Award is the first of its kind for independent martial arts, and it remains the sector’s leading concussion qualification. Delivered entirely online through our digital learning platform and mapped to CIMSPA professional standards, it equips instructors, assistants and club leaders to recognise concussion symptoms, assess risk, respond appropriately to suspected traumatic brain injury in training, sparring or competition, communicate clearly with families, and reduce long-term risk.
More than 1,000 clubs have already completed it, and it’s included free with membership, even for free affiliates.
Explore The CHIMA Award
Return-to-Participation, Tracked Properly
Our dynamic Return-to-Participation tracking, the first of its kind in UK martial arts, turns policy into daily practice. Built into the free Club Management Platform, it lets you log any student needing time out and then guides them through the structured return-to-play process step by step, aligned with current best-practice medical guidance, with on-the-night triage reporting to flag serious concerns the moment they occur. And because reporting is centralised, our team can see where clubs need help and step in with expert support, at no extra cost.
- On-the-night concussion triage reporting
- Automated Return-to-Play tracking & red flags
- Built-in risk assessment & incident logging
Four Practical Ways We Can Help Your Club Today
Assess Your Protocols
We’ll help you review your existing concussion policies, if you have any, and understand exactly where gaps or risks exist.
Upskill Your Team
Through the CHIMA Award, your instructors gain practical knowledge of concussion: what it is, when and where it occurs, and how real the dangers are.
Implement Practical Frameworks
Nuanced, step-by-step support, guidance and frameworks you can actually apply, making your club safer and better protected.
Represent You Nationally
We make sure your club’s reality is heard in government and sector reform conversations, pushing for science-led answers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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UK Register of Learning Providers
A recognised organisation on the UK Government's official Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP), affirming our legitimacy as an education and training provider able to work credibly with funding bodies, employers, and public agencies.
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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
What Do Our Members Say?
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Matt J Can't Rate Them Highly EnoughHaving 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.
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John Tomsett Outstanding Club Association and Insurance ProviderI 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.
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Georgina E Really impressive, 21st century MA organisation. 10/10Found 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.
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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.
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Jonathan D BMABA – the Martial Arts Association you NEEDI 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.
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Fabian Burdett 2020 This team deserves a MedalAs 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. 💙🐺👊
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Matthew Robert Cooling-Stones These guys are the real dealAs 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 BMABAAs 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 thoughtfulAlways 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
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Daniel Leaver Simply the best organisation I have ever worked withSimply 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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Protect Your Students. Lead From The Front.
Clinically reviewed policy, sector-leading training and first-of-their-kind safety tools, all included free with membership. Join the thousand-plus clubs already ahead of the standard.
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