About the Martial Arts Standards Agency (MASA)
MASA is a lead body in the Martial Arts structured as a non profit making company limited by guarantee with no paid employees and no expenses paid to it's directors. All give their time voluntarily because they believe that standards in the Martial Arts are of vital importance.
The objective is to encourage nationally recognised standards in all martial arts clubs and associations to help facility providers, insurers, prospective students and parents find a professional, well administered, safe and caring environment in which people of varying needs can train. MASA is a resource and support agency for ANY martial art club, association or business to be able to sign up to, achieve and become kite marked to demonstrate they support the National Standards.
What you should look for...
Before joining a Martial Arts club of any style eg Karate, Judo etc, you should ask to see the basic five documents that ANY Martial Arts Instructor should be able to produce if asked (these are listed below) . This will help you to decide whether the Club you are interested in joining will be a suitable and safe training environment for you or your children.
In addition to these five Documents, you are advised to check that the Club you are interested in is in Membership to a reputable UK based National Body who your Grades will be registered with (and allow you to check if you wish to do so.) Members of smaller, less known groups or even independent group often find problems when moving Club or Association so make sure you ask the question "Who is my Grade/s registered with?". SomeClubs/Associations have in the past been known to use the threat 'If you leave, your Grade/s won't be recognised by another Club or Association'. THIS IS NOT THE CASE!!! Most National Bodies or Associations will accept your Grades acheived elsewhere upon production of your Licence/Membership Book without issue. |  |
Although a Black Belt is an excellent achievement, it doesn't automatically constitute a qualifiaction to teach. To use a quote from the CMAA website: "Holding a Driving Licence doesn't make the person who holds it a Driving Instructor does it?"
It is important that everyone is aware of the qualities that ALL Martial Arts Instructors SHOULD have. This is the reason that the MASA 5 (Defined by the Martial Arts Standards Agency) was developed.
If an Instructor cannot produce all of the below documents then you should seriously reconsider your options.....some may not carry these documents with them all the time but should be able to produce them at the next lesson, if requested to do so. DON'T JUST TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT!!! If they cannot produce these documents at all, then chances are they never had them in the first place!!
The MASA 5 consists of:
1. A Black Belt or equivalent in the style of Martial Art being taught.
2. An Approved Coaching Qualification (NVQ or equivalent)
3. £5 Million Professional Indemnity Insurance
4. An Enhanced CRB Disclosure.
5. A clear Pricing Policy with NO hidden charges.
