Hi there,

Over the past few months, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to completely transform the way we manage support for our community.

As part of this, we’ve undertaken and passed the ISO9001:2015 quality standard — a process that involved retraining our entire team, implementing clearer procedures, and setting out structured processes for dealing with concerns, technical matters, and more complex support cases. It’s been a challenging process, but one that has helped us build the sort of infrastructure our members deserve.

We’ve also welcomed Bella to the team, who now leads much of our front-line membership support. With her help, we’ve been able to ensure there’s a properly trained colleague available to help across live chat, phone, and email right through to 5pm every weekday — even when the wider team are focused on compliance, safeguarding, systems, and development work. This has in turn allowed our senior team to deal with more complex and time-consuming matters, and for the rest of our customer services team to move at pace through lower level or less complex communication.

We know that many of you have wanted more timely, responsive support from us over the past few months. Your patience during this growth has not gone unnoticed, and we’re hugely grateful for the trust and space you’ve given us to get it right.

For the past three weeks, we’ve maintained no more than 25 outstanding support queries at any one time — and on three separate occasions, we’ve cleared the inbox entirely. For comparison, this use to be well beyond 400 at any one point. Our average longest waiting query since June 14th has been 3 days, not 3 weeks.

To give a sense of scale, each week we’ve been handling more than 1,000 live chat replies, over 450 web chat conversations, 350+ emails, 100+ phone calls, and 50+ cases via tickets, WhatsApp, and Facebook. These have ranged from simple password resets and routine queries to safeguarding concerns and highly technical grade or web based issues.

We want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work from our internal team in getting us to this point — and to thank our community for helping us reach this new standard.

From this point forward, we won’t allow any slipping back. With programmes like Club Colours and RegulationReady maturing, the successful relaunch of MyBMABA, and our club management platform now live, we’re excited about what comes next. With support now running as it should, we believe the next six months will be some of the most impactful yet for our community.

If you've been in touch over the past couple of weeks, we really hope you've noticed the difference in response rates.

Thank you for being part of it. 🙌

Hi there,

Earlier today, BMABA CIC held a high-level meeting with officials from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to discuss governance, risk management, and safeguarding across the UK’s martial arts landscape.

The conversation focused on the need for effective national oversight—without placing disproportionate pressure on grassroots clubs. We shared our vision for a system where credible governing bodies and associations take responsibility for regulatory standards, enabling community clubs to focus on safe, high-quality delivery.

We also explored the complexities of regulating a diverse sector, including clubs teaching multiple styles, operating for self-defence rather than competition, or working with at-risk communities. These nuances were well received, and we strongly advocated for the enormous value and professionalism present across the independent community.

Our role within the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group (MASG), which is supported by Sport England and DCMS, continues to ensure the voice of the independent sector is heard at the highest level.

We’re also sharing evidence of our national frameworks—such as Club Colours, Regulation Ready, Suitability Vetting, and more—to help shape future policy.

This marks an important step forward for recognition of the independent martial arts community, and we’ll continue to represent our clubs in ongoing DCMS, MASG, and SCiMA discussions.

Click here to read the full update >>

Hi there,

We’ve just released a major update to help clubs better manage instructor compliance: Suitability Vetting is now live in your Account Verification dashboard inside MyBMABA.

While we’ve tracked suitability internally since 2021, this is the first time it’s been fully visible, editable, and centralised—giving you complete control.

It now affects:

• ✅ Regulation Ready completion scores
• ✅ The National Coaching Register (public-facing profiles)
• ✅ All account verification checks
• ✅ Account completion percentages
• 🔜 Club Colours (coming soon)

You can now clearly define for each team member:

• Who’s actively teaching
• Who isn’t currently teaching
• Who is working with adults only

Your compliance requirements will automatically adapt. That means no more penalties for instructors or volunteers who aren’t in regulated roles.

This is especially important for clubs previously blocked by child-specific safeguarding rules. With Suitability Vetting, you can now:

• Mark team members as Not Currently Teaching
• Exclude adult-only roles from child-related compliance
• Phase in checks and training without damaging your club’s standing

This also lays the groundwork for a major change to Club Colours, which will soon be more accessible and representative of real-world teaching roles.

We have huge news coming for Club Colours – our biggest step forward in national recognition since 2020. Stay tuned!

Read the full update here →

Hi there,

Sport England, alongside all five UK Sports Councils, has today released the final report of the Safe Sport Project — a sector-wide roadmap for reforming how safeguarding, welfare, and complaint handling are managed across all levels of UK sport.

The report calls for sweeping changes, including the creation of a new independent leadership body, a unified national safeguarding framework, and an independent complaints and resolution service. It challenges sports bodies to shift away from reactive, legalistic systems and toward a more preventative, person-centred, trauma-informed approach.

This marks a major turning point for UK sport — but for BMABA, it’s a direction we’ve already been travelling for years.

Many of the report’s most ambitious proposals are systems and values we already have in place. These include:

• A fully transparent, public-facing Instructor Verification Register
• Club-wide vetting and licensing oversight through our Club Colours programme
• Comprehensive compliance checks across DBS, insurance, safeguarding, and first aid
• The Regulation Ready framework, which maps and verifies DSL, SENCO, and other key safeguarding leadership roles
• Dedicated, qualified internal safeguarding oversight within our organisation
• Independent external audits and professional reviews to ensure our standards remain robust and credible
• Proactive investment in trauma-informed coaching and inclusive safeguarding training

While many organisations are just beginning to prepare for the standards this report outlines, we’re already delivering on them. We welcome the Safe Sport vision and will continue working to ensure our community-led martial arts sector is recognised, respected, and part of this national conversation.

For our instructors and clubs, this means you can continue focusing on delivering safe, inclusive martial arts — knowing your affiliation with BMABA keeps you not only compliant, but ahead of the curve.

Read and comment on the full report in MyBMABA;

Hi there,

We’re pleased to officially launch MyBMABA Club Manager – a purpose-built, all-in-one platform designed by BMABA CIC specifically for martial arts instructors and clubs. Launched in BETA around three weeks ago, we're now locked in on V2.

This new system brings together the tools you need to manage your club effectively, support your students, and meet key compliance obligations — all from one secure dashboard. Developed entirely in-house, it reflects years of insight into the day-to-day challenges faced by grassroots instructors.

Now available to all members, Club Manager is integrated directly into the MyBMABA platform and can be accessed immediately.

Key features include:

• Student management with live licence and insurance syncing
• Attendance and grade tracking
• Certificate design and issuance
• Accounting & Budgeting
• Club Planning & Management
• Incident Reporting and more.

If you’re an instructor or club lead, simply log into MyBMABA and click “Club Manager” to begin using the system.

What’s Next: V2 Launch with Payments Integration

We’re now preparing to roll out Version 2 of Club Manager, introducing a fully integrated payments system powered by Stripe.

This upgrade will allow clubs to:

• Create and manage recurring membership plans or class payments
• Automatically collect and track student payments
• Monitor income, missed payments, and member churn in real-time
• Reduce admin and streamline student onboarding

The payments feature will be entirely optional, but we expect it to be a game-changer for clubs looking to simplify billing and scale efficiently within the BMABA ecosystem.

When Is It Launching?

Version 2 will begin rolling out in July 2025, with phased early access offered directly through the MyBMABA dashboard. Clubs will be invited to connect their Stripe account and start configuring membership plans as soon as access opens.

What Should I Do Now?

• Log in to MyBMABA and explore the new Club Manager features
• Begin managing students and compliance to prepare for V2
• Keep an eye on your dashboard notifications for rollout updates

This platform is part of our ongoing mission to support independent martial arts clubs with powerful, affordable, and secure digital infrastructure — not as a commercial product, but as a member-first service created by a grassroots CIC.

If you have any questions or want help getting started, just message us here on Intercom. We're here to support you.

Hi there,

If you’ve been around BMABA for a while, you’ll probably have seen our slogan cropping up here and there — To High Places by Narrow Roads. It might look poetic or a bit philosophical at first glance, but it’s not just a catchy phrase or branding fluff. It’s something deeply woven into who we are as a community, a CIC, and a team.

This slogan wasn’t chosen in a boardroom, surrounded by consultants. It emerged slowly and organically — like so many of the most meaningful things in our journey — through reflection, adversity, and resolve. It’s a line that represents not just where we’re going, but the kind of people we’re trying to be as we get there.

The Narrow Road: Discipline, Integrity, Sacrifice

The narrow road isn’t glamorous. It’s not fast, it’s not easy, and it certainly doesn’t come with a crowd. It’s the route of personal responsibility. Of doing things the right way, even when nobody’s watching. Of integrity in business when cutting corners could be faster. Of upholding safeguarding, governance, and licensing standards without compromise, even when it makes us unpopular or unprofitable.

You’ll have seen it in your own clubs too — choosing to build something meaningful and safe for your students, even when cheaper, easier shortcuts present themselves. That’s the narrow road. You’ll have walked it already, whether you’ve realised it or not. I would wager a bet it might even be why you were attracted to BMABA in the first place – I’ve always found those with integrity have a radar for it in others, too.

High Places: A Shared Aspiration

But what of the high places?

They’re not just about size or commercial success. They’re about being the best version of what we set out to be. For us, that means building a resilient, ethical, and independent martial arts infrastructure that isn’t just about ticking boxes — but about transforming lives. It’s about creating a home for clubs and instructors who have felt overlooked, underestimated, or just plain fed up with the status quo.

It’s about raising the sector’s standards without selling our soul. About giving students and communities access to martial arts that actually changes lives, not just fills classes.

That’s a high place. And the view from there is worth the climb.

For me personally, it’s about leaving a legacy that extends long after my life ends. Something my children can look at and be proud of. Something that rescues children who grew up like me – in poverty, without hope. As many of you will know, I’ve been reflecting a lot in my private journals lately about discipline, growth, and what it means to live a good life — not just run a good company.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE

Hi there,

We’re excited to officially welcome you to The BMABA Community – our new dedicated space for connecting instructors, clubs, and martial arts leaders across the country.

This is where you’ll find real-time updates, important announcements, peer support, and exclusive insights from our team—including direct posts from our CEO, Giovanni Soffietto.

Going forward, all future updates, news, and conversations will be shared inside the community. That means no more hunting through emails or scattered notices. Just one central hub for everything that matters to you and your club.

Whether you're looking to collaborate with fellow instructors, share your ideas, or stay in the loop—this is your space to do it.

👉 Access the community now via MyBMABA:
🔗 https://members.mybmaba.org.uk

See you inside!

Hi there,

We’re proud to announce that BMABA CIC — the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association — is now officially listed on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) under registration number 10098149.

This milestone reinforces our commitment to developing nationally recognised, high-quality training pathways for instructors, clubs, and safeguarding leads operating within grassroots martial arts. It also positions us to further expand our educational provision, particularly in areas of safeguarding, coaching, and trauma-informed practice.

What Is The UKRLP — And Why Does It Matter?

The UK Register of Learning Providers is the Government's central portal for verified education and training providers. It is used by funding bodies, regulators, government departments, and employers to confirm that a provider is recognised and meets basic eligibility criteria to offer educational services in the UK.

Being listed as a verified learning provider offers a number of tangible benefits:

• It opens the door to developing Ofqual-regulated qualifications in the future.
• It strengthens our standing with bodies such as CIMSPA, Sport England, and the Department for Education.
• It builds trust and credibility when working with local authorities, schools, charities, and grant-giving bodies.

For our members, it confirms that BMABA CIC isn’t just a martial arts organisation — we are a serious, recognised educational provider working to professionalise standards across the sector.

Why This Matters For Grassroots Martial Arts

Independent martial arts clubs and instructors are often underserved when it comes to high-quality, relevant training and development opportunities. Many courses on the market are expensive, outdated, or not tailored to the unique needs of community clubs.

Our listing on the UKRLP is part of a wider mission to:

• Make sector-leading training accessible and affordable to all instructors — regardless of style or affiliation.
• Develop trauma-informed, safeguarding-led content that raises the bar across the industry.
• Enable clubs to demonstrate formal compliance with safeguarding and coaching expectations — especially when working with schools, charities, or commissioning bodies.
• Ultimately, protect more children and young people by ensuring better-trained, better-equipped instructors.

What’s Next?

This recognition comes at a pivotal moment for us.

• We’ve recently been accepted as members of Sported UK and the Association of Child Protection Professionals (AoCPP).
• We are undergoing ISO 9001 accreditation to formalise our internal processes and quality controls.
• Our Trauma-Informed Coaching Qualification is preparing for launch, setting a new national benchmark for emotional literacy and safeguarding awareness in martial arts instruction.
• We are also working through our CIMSPA Training Provider application, further aligning our standards with national frameworks in sport and physical activity.

Together, these steps form a cohesive strategy: to ensure that BMABA not only supports clubs in their day-to-day work, but also helps shape the future of martial arts instruction in the UK — through recognised qualifications, professional training, and sector-wide leadership.

We’re excited by what this listing enables us to build for our members, and for the martial arts community more broadly. But as always, our mission remains focused on the real-world impact: helping instructors deliver safer, more inclusive, and more effective martial arts coaching to those who need it most.

Thank you for your continued support as we continue to grow — not just as a licensing body, but as a national force for positive change in grassroots sport.

Hi there,

We’re blown away.

In just over two weeks, more than 2,714 people have taken part in our 2025 Great Martial Arts Survey – a phenomenal response, and more than enough to form a truly meaningful body of research into the state of martial arts across the UK.

We’ll be spending the coming weeks digesting and analysing the data, and we’ll be publishing the full findings – including specific deep dives – very soon. But already, it’s clear from our initial sample that the responses we’ve received are broadly representative of the UK population, using comparisons with census data. That means we’ve captured a powerful and accurate snapshot of our community.

But for us, the real story isn’t just in the stats – it’s in the emotional truth behind the numbers.

So many of you – instructors, students, parents – took the time to share your personal journeys. You spoke about the mental health battles, the struggles with identity, the trauma, the healing, and the growth. What you’ve told us is raw, real, and incredibly moving.

This survey proves what we’ve always known deep down: Martial arts changes lives.

It builds resilience, confidence, connection, and healing. It saves lives, too.

It’s time this was recognised, properly.
Recognition should mean:

🥋 More funding for grassroots clubs
📚 Better access to quality CPD for instructors
🏫 Greater support getting martial arts into schools and educational settings

As a CIC (Community Interest Company), BMABA will be championing this harder than ever over the coming months. The power of what we all do as a community must be seen, valued, and supported.

We’ll be sharing some of the incredible quotes and stories that have come in – keep an eye out. These voices deserve to be heard.

From all of us at BMABA – thank you. You’ve helped us start a conversation that could reshape the future of martial arts in the UK.

Watch this space for the full findings!

Hi there,

We're really pleased to unveil our BETA community events board.

The idea? Simple. To create a single register of curated, quality events from right across the UK being run by our more than 6,500 registered clubs.

We'll approve each event before it goes into the community to ensure it's appropriate. It's then free for the poster and the attendee - we won't charge at any point for advertising an event, or for successfully bringing new people to it.

We hope it will help clubs connect and sharing opportunities to attend competitions, seminars, squad days and workshops within the community, without needing to await for any committees or executives to approve.

You can view all current events, and share any of your own future events for free, from https://mybmaba.org.uk/events