{"id":86725,"date":"2026-08-21T13:36:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmaba.org.uk\/clubs\/?page_id=86725"},"modified":"2026-08-21T13:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T13:37:07","slug":"bmaba-national-refereeing-and-officiating-award-nroa-cpd","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bmaba.org.uk\/clubs\/uk-martial-arts-association-governing-body-instructor-membership\/martial-arts-certification-licensing\/bmaba-national-refereeing-and-officiating-award-nroa-cpd\/","title":{"rendered":"BMABA National Refereeing and Officiating Award (NROA) CPD"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tNROA .<\/i> National Refereeing & Officiating Award<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Official Is The Only Person In The Room Whose Job Is To Be Fair<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Everybody else at a competition wants somebody to win. The coaches, the corners, the parents, the competitors. One person is there to make sure the result is honest and nobody gets hurt, and that person is usually standing alone in the middle of it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

NROA is our thirty-eight lesson officiating award. Our largest single course, and the only one where the whole job is judgement under pressure.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Access<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe full syllabus<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Idea At The Centre Of It<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Stated Once, Stand<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

An entire lesson is given to a single principle, because it is the one that separates officials who hold a competition together from officials who lose it. You state a decision once. You do not re-argue it, you do not relitigate it with a corner, and you do not soften it because somebody is shouting.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

That sounds like confidence, and it is really about safety. An official who can be argued out of a stoppage is an official who will eventually let a concussed competitor continue because their coach was loud enough. The authority exists for exactly that moment, and Module Two is about understanding it, including where it ends and what you are accountable for.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Your authority inside the competition area is ultimate. It is also non-interference in the other direction: nobody, including the promoter, overrules you on safety.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Full Running Order<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Every Lesson, In The Order You Will Study Them<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Thirty-eight lessons across eight modules, finishing on a final examination. Our largest course by some distance, and the running order below is exactly as it runs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule One<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Integrity Before Technique<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What an official actually is, and the principles that have to hold before any rule is applied: fairness, inclusion, and accountability to something larger than the room.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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  1. Introduction to NROA<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  2. What an official is, and what this award gives you<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  3. The principles of officiating integrity<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  4. Fairness, inclusion and the integrity of competition<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  5. Accountability and your place in the wider system<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Two<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Authority In The Competition Area<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Your authority is absolute inside the area, and it comes with limits and accountability. Includes the Stated-Once-Stand principle and the specific powers a referee holds.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    1. Ultimate authority in the competition area<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    2. The Stated-Once-Stand principle<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    3. The specific powers of the referee<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    4. Non-interference and the accountability of authority<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Three<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Before The Bout<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Everything that has to be right before two people are allowed to compete: consent, readiness, medical clearance, equipment, pairing and the briefing.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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      1. Verifying consent<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      2. Assessing fighter readiness<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      3. Medical clearance and concussion screening<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      4. Equipment and protective gear checks<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      5. Safe and fair pairing<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      6. The pre-bout briefing<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Four<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        During The Bout<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Where you stand, how you signal, enforcing neutrally, controlling corners, and stopping it when you have to, including for concussion.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        1. Positioning and movement<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        2. Communication and signals<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        3. Neutral enforcement of the rules<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        4. Managing corners and coaches<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        5. Concussion and injury stoppages<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        6. Safeguarding and conduct under pressure<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Five<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Reaching And Defending A Decision<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Consistency, close calls, how scoring and stoppage differ across disciplines, and handling bias, conflicts of interest and disputes.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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          1. Consistency, transparency and reaching an outcome<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          2. Scoring standards and close decisions<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          3. How scoring and stoppage differ across disciplines<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          4. Bias, conflicts of interest and handling disputes<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Six<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

            The Officiating Team<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

            Refereeing is not a solo job. Judges, corner and line judges, the timekeeper, and the table officials who hold the event together.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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            1. The officiating team and the role of the judge<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
            2. Corner and line judges<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
            3. The timekeeper<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
            4. Table officials and the wider event team<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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              \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Seven<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

              Safeguarding And Welfare<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

              An official is frequently the only neutral adult present. Your safeguarding role, handling a disclosure, concussion and return to play in depth, and welfare beyond the bout.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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              1. Your safeguarding role as an official<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
              2. Managing a disclosure<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
              3. Concussion and Return-to-Play in depth<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
              4. Protecting vulnerable groups and welfare beyond the bout<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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                \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tModule Eight<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

                Standing And Standards<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

                Records, professional conduct and prohibited behaviours, revalidation, and the governance system your standing as an official sits inside.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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                1. Documentation and record-keeping<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                2. Professional conduct and prohibited behaviours<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                3. Continuing professional development and revalidation<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                4. Governance, enforcement and your place in the wider system<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                5. NROA Final Examination<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
                  \n\t\t\t\t\t38 Lessons<\/span>8 Modules<\/span>Fully Online<\/span>Integrated Final Exam<\/span>Instant Digital Certificate<\/span>Multi-Discipline<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t
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                  \n\t\t\t\t\tWhy A Multi-Style Body Wrote It<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  Scoring And Stoppage Do Not Mean The Same Thing In Every Discipline<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  A point in semi-contact karate, a clean throw in judo, a stoppage in a full-contact bout and a submission in grappling are judged on entirely different principles. Most officiating training assumes one discipline and quietly leaves you to work out the rest.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  Lesson twenty-four addresses that directly, and it is a course only a multi-style association could sensibly write. The underlying skills, positioning, neutrality, controlling corners, reaching a defensible decision, transfer across all of it. Where the rules genuinely diverge, the course says so rather than pretending there is one standard.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  \n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvent-Ready, for organisers →<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCHIMA, free on every tier →<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t
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                  \n\t\t\t\t\tFour Lessons Nobody Expects<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  An Official Is Often The Only Neutral Adult In The Building<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  Module Seven is entirely about safeguarding and welfare, which surprises people who assume an officiating course is about rules and scoring. It is there because of who officials actually are in that room.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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                  Your safeguarding role as an official<\/strong>You are not the club, not the parent and not the coach. That neutrality is precisely why something might be said to you.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
                  Managing a disclosure<\/strong>What to do when a competitor tells you something at the edge of the mat, in the middle of an event, with no privacy available.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
                  Concussion and return to play, in depth<\/strong>Not just the stoppage. What has to happen afterwards, and why an official’s record of it matters weeks later.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
                  Welfare beyond the bout<\/strong>Weight, coercion, a competitor who clearly does not want to be there. Recognising it and knowing what you can do about it.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

                  Officials carry their own risk too, which is what the cover below is for.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

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                  \n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Cover Side<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

                  The Qualification And The Cover Are The Same Decision<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

                  An official stands in the middle of a contact sport making live calls that decide whether somebody keeps fighting. If a competitor is injured and the stoppage is questioned afterwards, the person answering for that judgement is you, personally, not the promoter and not the club.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

                  Referee and Officials Cover exists for that exposure. It is a liability extension on your membership rather than a separate policy, and it is deliberately not sold standalone: our event conditions exclude referee liability unless the official is BMABA qualified, so the cover and this award are two halves of one thing.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

                  Complete NROA and you are eligible for the cover. Hold the cover without the qualification and, at a sanctioned event, the exclusion applies. That is why we gate it rather than simply selling it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReferee & Officials Cover<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t