Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts

Recognising Good Safeguarding Practice

1000 martial arts clubs achieve the standards of the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts

Sport England is delighted to announce that 1000 Martial Arts clubs have now successfully demonstrated their good safeguarding standards and have attained the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts.

A further 300 clubs are registered for the scheme and are working towards completing their application.

Jayne Molyneux, Director of Welfare and Integrity at Sport England, said:

“It’s great that 1000 clubs have now achieved good safeguarding standards for Martial Arts. Safeguarding and welfare is integral to all people and children taking part in sport and activity. This important milestone will give people the confidence to choose the right club for them and their families to take part in Martial Arts.”

The club breaking through the 1000 barrier is Proaction Martial Arts and Fitness, founded in 2002 by former ITF president (International Taekwon-Do Federation) and World Champion, Mr Tom Nicholson who said, “As a club that offers combat sport-based lessons, safeguarding has always been at the heart of what we do. We’re committed to providing a training environment that is safe for all our members and instructors. Receiving this official standard has enabled us to crystallise our processes and procedures and gives our members added reassurance.” 

Maria White, Proaction’s Compliance Manager explained “Although we are compliant with the Safeguarding Code standards, we wanted to do more and we’re building a dedicated safeguarding page into our new website design. It will hold everything parents need to know and will launch very soon. Making it easy for parents to find this information and being transparent about our safeguarding process is important to us. Our new app will also enable immediate access to our Welfare Officer”

Registration is easy and free, and Sport England are encouraging all martial arts clubs and instructors to start working towards the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts now by visiting www.safeguardingcode.com and registering to begin an application. The Project Team’s support is free and available to everyone and can be reached at [email protected]

As a parent you can search for a local club via our map found here.

Note to Editors

The Safeguarding Code has been developed through close consultation between Sport England, representatives from martial arts governing bodies and those with years of expertise in safeguarding. Support is also provided by the Child Protection in Sport Unit, the Ann Craft Trust and NWG Network.

It is funded by the National Lottery.

The scheme is operated and administered by the charity NWG Network.

The club being awarded with the 1000^th Safeguarding Code standard is Proaction Martial Arts and Fitness. Founded in 2002 by former ITF president (International Taekwon-Do Federation) and World Champion, Mr Tom Nicholson, it has grown into one of the largest Martial Arts schools in Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and the East Midlands. The school offers a range of Taekwon-Do, Kickboxing and personal fitness programmes. It has also has specially designed programme for children aged 4-6 years as an introduction to Marital Arts.