Guidance for British Judo Clubs Hosting Other Martial Arts
September 07, 2026
This guidance provides clarification for affiliated British Judo clubs hosting other martial arts or non-judo activities within their premises. It outlines safeguarding, insurance, and governance responsibilities for activities delivered alongside British Judo provision.
As the British Judo Association, we validate coaches and affiliate clubs that meet our requirements, including safeguarding under Three Steps Safe.
If clubs have other non-judo martial arts operating within their premises, those clubs will need to ensure they meet that martial art governing body’s club affiliation requirements and coach validation requirements for safeguarding, insurance, and health and safety.
Clubs should be familiar with that martial art’s governing body (or other non-martial arts activity, such as childcare provision), how affiliation is operated by that governing body (or activity), confirm there is insurance from that governing body for both mat-based and non-mat-based activity, adopt their risk assessment guidance, and be familiar with that governing body’s safeguarding procedures, policies, and guidance.
BJA members are insured via the British Judo Association insurance scheme, and this covers judo provision only by your club.
BJA Club Welfare Officers (CWOs) cannot be responsible for non-BJA activity within clubs. Responsibility for non-BJA activity should be allocated to a Club Welfare Officer for that specific martial art, in line with the safeguarding requirements outlined by that martial art governing body.
We hope this provides assistance and clarification for BJA clubs, club committees, Club Welfare Officers, and members.
