CPD Built For Martial Arts, Mapped To The Chartered Standard
A constantly expanding portfolio of courses and qualifications for instructors, assistants, volunteers and club leaders, delivered entirely online by a UKRLP-registered provider certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, and a recognised CIMSPA Training Provider Partner.
BMABA delivers one of the most extensive training and CPD programmes in UK martial arts, covering every aspect of core coaching, safeguarding, first aid, SEND and club leadership, alongside expert, pioneering and in several cases first-of-their-kind courses, from Coaching Neurodiversity in Martial Arts to Concussion & Head Injury Management In Martial Arts. Everything is expertly produced, fully referenced and indexed, and delivered digitally to a consistent national standard, so even the smallest, most remote club trains to the same benchmark as the biggest names in the sport.
Credentials Most Providers Can’t Match
Every course is delivered under the credibility of BMABA CIC, a nationally recognised not-for-profit, and sits inside independently audited management systems.
CIMSPA Training Provider Partner
We map everything we build to the chartered standard. As a recognised CIMSPA Training Provider Partner, every course we build is mapped to CIMSPA professional standards. We are preparing programmes for formal CIMSPA technical review and endorsement, and we will confirm endorsed status course by course as approvals are granted; no course carries an endorsed badge until CIMSPA says so.
UK Register Of Learning Providers
BMABA is a registered learning provider on the UKRLP, the national register used by government, funding bodies and employers to verify legitimate training organisations.
Dual-ISO Certified Delivery
Course development, delivery and your learner data sit inside our ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 certified systems, held under UKAS accreditation and audited independently.
Free And Unlimited With Almost Every Membership
Unlike just about every other provider, our memberships include free access to courses and awards, and Silver and Gold include every current and future award, without limit.
Free Forever Essentials
Even free affiliate membership includes the Induction award, SEND Level 1 and CHIMA concussion training, at no cost, ever.
The Full Coaching Pathway
Adds Foundation, Qualified and Senior Coach, the complete Level 1 to 3 coaching pathway, on our most affordable paid tier.
Everything, Current & Future
Unlimited access to every course and award we offer, plus everything we release next, included as standard.
Assistants & Volunteers Too
Assistant instructors and volunteers get core study spanning safeguarding, coaching, SEND, first aid and concussion, with the Cadet pathway for young leaders.
Our Current Courses & Qualifications
Built just for martial arts, delivered online on any device, and growing constantly. Every course below is mapped to CIMSPA professional standards.
Foundations
Coaching
Popular Foundation Coach (Level 1)
The entry point to our coaching pathway, covering safety, compliance and confident class assistance.
Qualified Coach (Level 2)
Develops assistants into lead coaches with safe, technically proficient, pedagogy-led class delivery.
Senior Coach (Level 3)
Our most advanced coaching qualification for experienced leads shaping clubs and mentoring instructors.
Coaching Children & Young People
Age-appropriate coaching, engagement and welfare for younger students across every discipline.
Curriculum Design & Pedagogy
Design syllabi, plan progressive lessons and apply modern teaching science to the mats.
Trauma-Informed Coaching (Level 1)
Understand trauma and coach in ways that build safety, trust and inclusion.
Trauma-Informed Coaching & ACEs (Level 2)
Advanced practice on Adverse Childhood Experiences and structured trauma-informed environments.
Coaching Neurodiversity
Practical strategies for coaching neurodivergent students with confidence and care.
Assistants Cadet Coaching Award
A measured pathway for young assistant instructors, with parental confirmations built in.
Safeguarding
Popular Child Safeguarding In Martial Arts
The foundational safeguarding qualification for instructors, assistants and volunteers, aligned with our national policy.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Advanced training for DSLs and welfare officers covering policy, procedure and statutory liaison.
SEND
Popular SEND In Martial Arts (Level 1)
Practitioner-level inclusion training covering adaptive coaching and disability confidence.
SEND In Martial Arts (Level 2)
Co-ordinator level training for leading SEND provision, registers and individual learning plans.
Club Management
Club Management Award (Level 1)
Run the club behind the class: admin, finances, policies and people.
Club Management Award (Level 2)
Advanced club leadership, growth, governance and sustainability.
Events & Officiating
Event-Ready Event Management
Plan and deliver safe, licensed club events and competitions end to end.
National Referees & Officials Award (NROA)
Officiating standards, scoring and safety for referees, judges and table officials.
Health & Safety
Popular First Aid For Martial Arts
Scenario-led first aid tailored to the injuries martial arts actually produces.
Popular CHIMA (Concussion & Head Injury Management)
Recognise, manage and prevent concussion, with return-to-play protocols built for combat sport.
Availability varies by membership and role. Full inclusion details are published in our handbook, and the catalogue keeps growing.
A Genuinely Modern Learning Experience
Every course runs on our own digital learning platform inside MyBMABA. Study in flexible blocks around your classes, on any device, with integrated assessments, instant digital certification on passing, and accessibility support built in. Your CPD record stays live in your hub, connected to the same systems that power your licensing, insurance and Club Colours compliance.
- Fully online, on any device, at your pace
- Integrated exams with instant digital certificates
- Built-in accessibility assistant for every learner
- CPD recorded live against your membership
Working To The Chartered Standard
Mapped To CIMSPA Professional Standards
CIMSPA is the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, the professional body for the UK sport and physical activity workforce. As a recognised Training Provider Partner we map every programme we build to CIMSPA professional standards, and we are preparing courses for formal CIMSPA technical review and endorsement. We will confirm endorsed status course by course as approvals are granted, because the badge on a certificate should mean exactly what it says.
Train With UsRooted in grassroots martial arts and driven by community impact, BMABA CIC is more than a governing body: we’re a not-for-profit movement. With decades of experience, national recognition, and award-winning innovation, we exist to make clubs stronger, safer, and better supported.
From safeguarding expertise to cutting-edge digital tools, from CPD qualifications to national governance, we give instructors and clubs everything they need to thrive. Step into membership today, where passion meets professionalism, and your club’s future is fully supported.
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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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Raise Your Standard
Join free today and start with the Induction, SEND and concussion awards at no cost, or unlock the full catalogue, current and future, with Silver and Gold.
- UKRLP registered provider
- Expertly produced, referenced & indexed
- CIMSPA Training Provider Partner
- Dual-ISO certified under UKAS accreditation
- Free courses even on affiliate membership
- Instant digital certification


