Every club has one. The junior who stays behind to help, who is trusted with the beginners, who is quietly doing a coach’s job at fifteen with no training and no recognition for it.
The Cadet Coaching Award trains them for it. The Cadet Instructor Training Pathway then gives them Bronze, Silver and Gold to work towards, with the supervision, consent and pacing that working with a child requires.
People conflate these constantly, so it is worth separating them before anything else. A cadet can do either. Most clubs will want both.
Both are free. Not free as an introductory offer, not free on one tier. The pathway, the platform, the licensing and every provision are covered by BMABA and included in membership.
Thirteen lessons across four modules, finishing on an examination. Written in language a thirteen year old can actually work with, without talking down to them.
The first thing a young helper needs is a clear boundary around the role, and a plain explanation of what duty of care actually means when you are the one being looked up to.
Communicating and demonstrating so people can follow you, supporting a session properly, and adapting to students who are not all the same.
Spotting hazards, an age-appropriate introduction to safeguarding, and, just as importantly, the cadet’s own safety and their right to speak up about it.
Reflective practice, and an honest look at the pathway ahead, from Bronze through to the adult route at eighteen.
Note lesson ten. A course that teaches a child to look after other people, and never tells them they are entitled to be looked after themselves, is not a safeguarding-literate course. Their safety and their right to speak up is a lesson in its own right, not a line in someone else’s.
The pathway gives a cadet something to work towards that is visible, sequenced and earned. Each tier is a separate sign-off with its own requirements, and they are awarded strictly in order: Bronze, then Silver, then Gold. It is not possible to enrol a cadet straight into Gold.
| Requirement | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 13+ | 14+ | 15+ |
| Grade | 6th Kyu | 4th Kyu | 1st Kyu |
| Shadowing | 5 hours | 10 hours | 25 hours |
| Training | 15 hours | 25 hours | 50 hours |
| Other CPD | Not required | Not required | 5 hours |
| Mat hours, supervised | 20 hours | 40 hours | 70 hours |
| Sessions co-taught | 5 | 10 | 25 |
| Minimum wait | 90 days from start | 120 days from Bronze | 150 days from Silver |
Because Silver runs from the Bronze award date and Gold from the Silver award date, a cadet progressing tier by tier waits at least 360 days in total. Just under a year from starting to reaching Gold. That is deliberate: it paces genuine development and makes it impossible to move a cadet through three recognitions in a single term.
Clubs can raise these minimums but cannot reduce them, and can set an opening position for a cadet they have already worked with. The time gate is what keeps that honest, because the clock always runs from the programme start date. No opening balance shortcuts it.
Gold is the highest recognition available to a 15 to 17 year old, and it still carries no authority to teach unsupervised. The tiers reflect development and responsibility inside supervised teaching, not a gradual loosening of it. That is stated on the certificate itself.
A sign-off at the end of this pathway is backed by a real body of evidence, which is the entire point of running it through the platform rather than on paper.
On turning 18 and reaching 1st Dan or equivalent, a Gold cadet becomes eligible to move onto the Adult Instructor pathway, and their cadet CPD and mat hours may carry over at the club’s discretion. They then meet the adult requirements in full.
If someone is close to eighteen when they start, decide together, with parents involved, whether to begin on the cadet pathway and move across mid-term or simply wait. A cadet who turns eighteen part way through can no longer receive the cadet tier awards, but their CPD carries over.
Typical timescales: Bronze in three to six months, Silver a further six to nine, Gold a further six to twelve. A cadet who starts at thirteen and goes the distance arrives at eighteen with several years of logged, observed, verified practice behind them. Very few people entering coaching anywhere in this sector can say that.
A governing body that never changes its own qualifications is not being consistent, it is being inattentive. Our CPD catalogue is reviewed on a rolling cadence rather than left to age, and reviewed again out of cycle whenever something material shifts: new legislation, updated statutory guidance, a sector-wide review, or clubs telling us that what we teach no longer matches what they are dealing with.
The cadet tiers used to be awardable out of sequence, and a cadet could be enrolled straight into Gold. Reviewing how clubs were actually using the pathway made the problem obvious: without enforced sequencing and time gates, three recognitions could be issued inside a term, which devalued all three. Bronze, Silver and Gold are now strictly sequential with minimum waiting periods enforced by the platform.
Our workforce of instructors, assistant instructors and volunteers is who this is for. When their job changes, the training that supports it should already have changed, rather than catching up afterwards.
This one puts children into positions of responsibility over other children. It is not a subject to take from an unaccountable source.
BMABA is a CIMSPA Endorsed Training Provider, and we map our qualifications to a recognised professional standard wherever one exists. Mapped is not the same as endorsed: a course is only formally CIMSPA Endorsed CPD once it has been submitted, reviewed and certified, and we say so on the course itself when it has.
We are listed on the UK Register of Learning Providers under UKPRN 10098149, the government-maintained record of organisations delivering learning in the United Kingdom. Check our listing.
Sport England’s own safeguarding guidance for martial arts names four organisations, and we are the only independent, multi-style association among them. A BMABA club holding Club Colours has the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts issued automatically rather than applying for it.
Certified under UKAS accreditation via the British Assessment Bureau. The award is operated under that management system, which is what makes the time gates, the audit trail and the locked stamps meaningful rather than decorative.
Also UKAS accredited, with zero non-conformities at our most recent audit. This pathway holds consent records, observation notes and a child’s reflective journal, which is about as sensitive as club data gets.
It records instructorship status only. It is not a licence, not a coaching qualification, and not proof of grade or of any entitlement to teach without supervision. The ISO certifications shown on it relate solely to BMABA CIC’s management system and are not conveyed to the club or the holder.
Two things worth being clear about before a club commits to anything.
A club may separately charge trainees for its own wider training programme if it chooses. That is a club matter and nothing in the BMABA pathway carries a fee.
Read The Full ITP Policy
Our qualifications and awards are delivered entirely online through our own learning platform, on the website or in the BMABA app. Phone, tablet, laptop, whatever you have in your hand.
Your place is saved as you go, so you can do a lesson on your lunch break, another while the kids are at training, and finish the exam on a Sunday evening. Nothing expires part way through and nothing has to be done in one sitting.
This matters more for cadets than for anyone else. A fifteen year old fits training around school, homework and a Saturday job, usually on a phone. The course saves their place and has no deadline to work against.
The Cadet Coaching Award and the full Bronze, Silver and Gold pathway are included with membership at no cost. Members enrol a cadet from the ITP dashboard in a few minutes; if you are not a member yet, joining is free.
This is one course out of more than thirty in the library. Every one is written for martial arts specifically, delivered online, mapped to CIMSPA professional standards where a standard exists, and included with membership rather than sold separately.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Great people to work with.Facebook recommendation
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 highlyMember review
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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