NAKMAS set to team up with a leading insurer as expansion continues

The National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS) is set to announce a new insurance provider for its members as the pool of martial arts clubs under its governance expands.

NAKMAS’ ambition to recognise and insure Mixed Martial Arts, in addition to the many other disciplines already governed by and insured via NAKMAS, has led the organisation to secure the services of a leading insurer, just 12 months after beginning a new insurance package through Lloyds of London.

Joe Ellis, Chairman of NAKMAS, explains:

“Martial arts is a broad church and we are keen to support all disciplines. Unfortunately, as we look to expand, the current underwriters are unable to come with us, as they are not able to provide cover in respect of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Thankfully, the new insurer is able to cover MMA which allows us to give coverage to a wider membership.

“Our expansion plans reflect the grassroots take up of martial arts in all disciplines. NAKMAS must be a governing body not just for the traditional arts but the modern as well. It was necessary to change insurance provider to facilitate this aim and provide the same, high standard of support to all members.

“We are now just crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s and will announce our new insurer shortly.”

NAKMAS’ recent accreditation with the Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport award requires the organisation to include all disciplines in its ambit. However, it has proved not to be possible to insure all of those disciplines under the previous arrangement.

Some martial arts have experienced difficulties in arranging suitable insurance in the past, although many of these disciplines were able to obtain coverage thanks to their links with NAKMAS. NAKMAS’ welfare policies, risk assessments, equality standards and ISO quality standards were acknowledged by Lloyds of London, however, they were unable to extend the cover to include MMA, which is considered a hybrid of arts.

Joe Ellis says:

“We thank the previous insurers for the service they have provided for our members, but our expansion has been rapid and it was essential that we secured the right cover for all our members, some of whom were struggling to gain insurance coverage. We now look forward to what will hopefully be a lengthy relationship with the new Insurer.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

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). NAKMAS has also been accredited to the Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport.

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 (visit www.nakmas.org.uk for more information), 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 of the NAKMAS National Governing Body

Tel: 01227 370055 / 07976 736404

Fax: 01227 370056

Email: joe.ellis@nakmas.org.uk

Site: www.nakmas.org.uk

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