NAKMAS Warns Budding Martial Arts Kids to Check Instructor Qualification and Club Insurance

February 07, 2008 - Press Dispensary - Many martial arts clubs are not properly insured, leaving them exposed in the event of an accident or allegation of abuse, according to NAKMAS (the National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools) (http://www.nakmas.org.uk). The UK governing body urges club members – and the parents of junior members – to ask questions, check that the instructor is suitable qualified and make sure they have the protection they need.

NAKMAS was shocked to find that many non NAKMAS registered clubs were using substandard martial arts insurance, with policies from leading UK sports insurers giving insufficient cover or failing to include vital areas of cover such as child abuse and instructor indemnity.

In response, NAKMAS has negotiated a policy with Lloyd’s underwriters to offer comprehensive worldwide cover for coaches, competitors, club members and staff, available to all NAKMAS affiliated clubs.

Joe Ellis, chair and acting lead child protection officer at NAKMAS, says: “Clubs and coaches need to be asking themselves the question - does my policy really offer protection in an era of high litigation? In a sport with so much focus on coaching children and self-defence, it’s ludicrous that clubs are letting their guard down when it comes to insurance.”

NAKMAS is also concerned that a significant number of martial arts clubs remain outside a national governing body, restricting their access to professional back up if they encounter problems. Non-registered clubs may also struggle to keep up to date with changes to legislation around child protection and criminal record checks, as well as children’s development issues and effective coaching, putting them in a vulnerable position.

NAKMAS affiliated members receive regular mailings to make sure they are up to speed with issues ranging from legal protection and coaching qualifications to anti-bullying initiatives and disability martial arts. As the governing body, NAKMAS is about to launch a magazine focusing solely on child protection issues, with case studies and guidance.

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The National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS) is a non-funded national governing body and is a member of CCPR (the Central Council of Physical Recreation). With its head office based in Kent, NAKMAS governs all forms of traditional and modern martial arts and has over 65,000 members within the UK.

NAKMAS is an approved insurance provider via Lloyds and holds a National and International Quality Standard Certificate via the BSI (British Standards Institute).

Coaching awards to the standard of the NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) and UKCC (United Kingdom Coaching Certificate) are available within NAKMAS. It has an active NSPCC approved Welfare Policy, and has launched a UK-wide anti-bullying initiative called the ‘NAKMAS Safe Kids Campaign’. It also has Registered Body status via the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) and Disclosure Scotland to check against the criminal records register.

For further information, please contact:
Joe Ellis, chair and acting lead child protection officer, NAKMAS National Governing Body
Tel: 01227 370055 / 07976 736404
Fax: 01227 370056
Email:
Site: www.nakmas.org.uk