Event Expectations
What should you expect from a BJA licenced event?
- Safe and accessible event
- Run by an appropriately qualified team: Competition Organisers, Tournament Director, Referee in Charge, Event Welfare Officer
- All competitors have BJA or affiliated membership and grades
- Mat types and size meet minimum safety requirements
How do you know its a BJA licenced event?
- The event is listed as a competition on the BJA events calendar
- The event outlines/information will have a BJA licenced mark (this is phasing in through 2025/26)
- At the event they display the tournament licence poster
Understanding Membership Types and Competition Eligibility
It is important for event organisers and tournament directors to understand the difference between membership types, and which membership licences allow athletes to take part in competitions and what level of competition.
Some membership types do not cover competitions. If someone holds an incorrect membership type, they must upgrade to an appropriate membership type or be withdrawn from the competition.
The importance of having the correct membership when entering an event.
It is important to ensure that all athletes have the correct membership type when entering an event to ensure that they are eligible to take part, and that the athlete is covered by insurance in case of injury. British Judo Association licenced events are only available to members of British Judo or affiliated member governing bodies (Judo Scotland, Welsh Judo, Northern Ireland Judo Federation, British Judo Council and Amateur Judo Association). Without the correct membership they are not permitted to take part.
This ensures that every judoka is registered, eligible, and participating in a safe, well-governed environment — with appropriate oversight, welfare provisions, and accountability for all involved. Read more about our Three Step Safe programme.
Membership Types and Competitions
| Membership Type | Competition Levels | Training | Grading | Coaching | Official/ Referee | Membership Term |
| Introductory Membership | No Competition | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | 1 Month Non-Renewable |
| Pathway* | Level 1 Events Only – Club comps | ☒ | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ | 12 Months |
| Student Starter Scheme | All Levels | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 months – Non-renewable |
| Judo Tots (Ages 3-4’s) | No Competitions
| ☒ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | 12 Months |
| Judo Kids (Under 8’s) | Under 8 Festivals Only | ☒ | ☒ | ☐ | ☐ | 12 Months |
| Welfare Officer (Full Membership) | All Levels
| ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 Months |
| Recreational Membership | No Competitions
| ☒ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | 12 Months |
| Welfare Officer (Recreational) | No Competitions
| ☒ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | 3 Years |
| Full Membership (Junior) | All Levels | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 Months |
| Full Membership (Senior) | All Levels | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 Months |
| Elite Full | All Levels | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 Months |
| Full Membership (Student/Military/Blue Light) | All Levels | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 Months |
| Life Membership | All Levels | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | Unlimited |
| Volunteer | No Competitions | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☒ | 12 months |
| Registered Person | Need to show home nation membership | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | ☒ | 12 Months |
*Pathway membership is accepted for certain larger events with prior BJA approval
