National Refereeing & Officiating Standards Policy Framework (NROS)

Protect Fighter Safety – embedding safeguarding and concussion protocols into officiating practice to ensure that participant welfare is always paramount.

Ensure Fairness and Integrity – providing clear, transparent standards that guarantee impartiality and consistency across all officiating.

Support Safeguarding Compliance – aligning officiating duties with BMABA’s National Safeguarding Policy, the Concussion & Head Injury Management Policy (CHIMA), and statutory safeguarding frameworks, including Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts.

Provide Insurance Assurance – formally linking officiating practice to BMABA instructor public liability insurance, ensuring referees and officials are recognised and covered when operating under NROS.

Promote Professionalism – recognising refereeing as a core component of martial arts governance, with standards comparable to BMABA’s National Grading Integrity & Examination Standards (NGIES).

Certified Referees and Officials – those who have completed the BMABA National Refereeing & Officiating Award (NROA) or an equivalent qualification recognised by BMABA.

Clubs and Instructors – where officials are appointed to oversee sparring, competition, demonstrations, or gradings within the club environment.

Event Organisers and Promoters – where events are sanctioned or recognised by BMABA, or where BMABA-certified officials are deployed.

Third-Party Events – where BMABA members or students participate in external competitions, BMABA-recognised officials must uphold NROS standards regardless of host organisation practices.

The National Grading Integrity & Examination Standards (NGIES).

The National Martial Arts Event Safety & Governance Framework (NMESGF).

The BMABA National Safeguarding Policy.

The BMABA Concussion & Head Injury Management Policy (CHIMA).

The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts (SCiMA)

Sport England & Martial Arts Safeguarding (MASG).

CIMSPA

Government concussion guidelines for grassroots sport.

Parity benchmarking against other Sport England recognised martial arts NGBs

Impartiality – decisions must be made without bias, favouritism, or influence from clubs, coaches, competitors, or personal relationships.

Fighter Welfare First – the safety and wellbeing of participants overrides all other considerations, including competitive outcome, entertainment value, or organisational preference.

Transparency – officiating decisions must be clear, consistent, and defensible, with the ability to explain outcomes where required.

Safeguarding-First Decision-Making – all refereeing practice must prioritise the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk, in line with BMABA’s safeguarding policy and national statutory guidance.

Zero Tolerance for Unsafe Practice – deliberate negligence, unsafe officiation, or practices that endanger participants are unacceptable and subject to enforcement under NROS.

All competitors are treated fairly and with respect, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic background.

Adjustments are made, where reasonable, to support participants with special educational needs, disabilities, or other additional needs, in line with BMABA’s safeguarding and inclusion policies.

Language, behaviour, and decision-making remain free from discrimination or unconscious bias.

Any discriminatory behaviour observed during events is reported and addressed in accordance with BMABA’s safeguarding and disciplinary procedures.

Preventing Mismatches or Unsafe Pairings – no bout should proceed where there is a clear imbalance in age, weight, experience, or ability that creates a safeguarding or safety risk. Referees must halt or refuse bouts where such mismatches exist.
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Fair Application of Rules – contests must be judged solely on the agreed rules of the event or discipline. Decisions must be free from external pressures such as audience reaction, coach influence, or organiser demands.
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Conflict of Interest Management – referees must avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest. This includes officiating bouts involving family members, close associates, or direct students. Where unavoidable, exceptional approval may be granted under BMABA policy, but only with full disclosure and documented oversight.
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Transparency & Accountability – referees must be prepared to explain decisions when reviewed under appeal or governance processes, and event organisers must ensure appropriate channels exist for recording and addressing disputes.
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Protecting the Spirit of Competition – officials must not only apply the rules, but also uphold the spirit of martial arts competition: respect, discipline, and fairness. Behaviour that undermines the dignity of participants, such as mocking, coercion, or tolerance of poor sportsmanship, must not be permitted.

Justify Decisions – be prepared to explain and justify officiating decisions where they are subject to review, appeal, or complaint.
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Maintain Professionalism – demonstrate respectful, professional communication with fighters, coaches, parents, organisers, and fellow officials at all times.
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Safeguarding Responsibility – recognise that accountability includes the duty to act on safeguarding and welfare concerns, in line with BMABA’s National Safeguarding Policy and statutory obligations. Failure to act may be considered misconduct.
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Transparency in Conduct – declare conflicts of interest, disclose relevant information that may affect impartiality, and cooperate fully with any investigation or review process.
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Record-Keeping – ensure accurate bout records, incident reports, and safeguarding documentation are completed and submitted as required. These records form part of the official accountability process and insurance traceability.
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Governance Compliance – accept oversight under BMABA’s disciplinary and enforcement procedures, including audits, spot checks, and reviews of officiating practice.

Technical Competence – referees must hold a minimum level of technical seniority equivalent to a 1st Dan black belt in traditional graded disciplines, or be recognised under BMABA’s established Black Belt Equivalency Policy for ungraded styles such as Mixed Martial Arts, Martial Arts-Based Boxing, or Muay Thai. This ensures parity of technical competence across both graded and non-graded systems

Safeguarding Clearance – an in-date enhanced DBS, PVG, or equivalent criminal records check appropriate to the jurisdiction of practice.

First Aid Certification – a valid, recognised first aid qualification that covers immediate response to injuries, with particular awareness of head injuries and concussion.

Insurance Coverage – inclusion under BMABA instructor public liability insurance, which formally extends to refereeing and officiating roles when operating under NROS.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, all referees must also meet the qualification and training expectations set out in Section 3.2.

The BMABA National Refereeing & Officiating Award (NROA), or

An equivalent refereeing or officiating qualification formally recognised by BMABA following a process of recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Fairness and Impartiality – referees must be free from conflicts of interest and perceived bias.

Suitability and Readiness – officials must hold current eligibility under NROS, including safeguarding, first aid, Regulation Ready compliance, and active BMABA membership.

Event Alignment – officiating appointments must be consistent with the National Martial Arts Event Safety & Governance Framework (NMESGF) to ensure safe and compliant event delivery.

Commercial pressure from event organisers or promoters.

Public or audience dissatisfaction.

Appeals by coaches, corners, or competitors.

Organisational or competitive considerations.

The event’s agreed competition ruleset.

Safeguarding and child protection requirements.

Concussion, injury, and medical protocols.

BMABA’s Regulation Ready and Club Colours assurance standards, where relevant.

Referees must immediately remove from competition any participant suspected of sustaining a concussion or serious head injury, in accordance with the principle “If in doubt, sit them out.”

Participants removed on suspicion of concussion must not return to competition under any circumstances, regardless of pressure from coaches, organisers, or the participants themselves.

Referees must ensure the participant is referred to qualified medical personnel for assessment and must record the incident in the official event documentation for insurance and safeguarding traceability.

In cases where adequate medical provision is not present, referees must halt competition until the matter is resolved.

Referees must take all reasonable steps prior to competition to assure themselves that participants are fit to compete and not subject to an existing Return-to-Play (RtP) sit-out period following concussion or head injury.

Referees should seek confirmation from the organiser or designated medical/safeguarding officer that appropriate screening has taken place and that clearance has been given based on qualified medical guidance.

While referees may not always have direct access to medical records or top-tier participant data, they are required to make reasonable enquiries and satisfy themselves that proper checks are in place.

Where concerns or doubts remain about a participant’s eligibility to compete safely, the referee is empowered to refuse participation until satisfactory assurances are provided.

Referees are designated safeguarding responders during competition. Any safeguarding concern, disclosure, or incident must be immediately escalated to the appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the event, or to BMABA’s safeguarding officers where no DSL is available.

Concerns may include, but are not limited to: inappropriate behaviour by adults, mismatches, suspected neglect, abusive conduct, or a child presenting as unsafe to participate.

Referees are empowered to bypass normal event chains of command if they believe safeguarding concerns are being ignored or downplayed. They may report directly to BMABA or statutory agencies (e.g., police, local authority) without fear of sanction.

Referees have the authority to halt or suspend competition if minimum safeguarding or medical standards are not met. This includes:

Referees must not permit events to proceed if these standards are not rectified.

The referee’s safeguarding-related decisions are absolute and protected by the Stated-Once-Stand principle. Once a referee halts a contest, withdraws a participant, or escalates a safeguarding matter, the decision cannot be overridden by an organiser, promoter, or senior official.

Attempts to undermine or countermand a referee’s safeguarding decision may constitute a safeguarding breach and will be referred to BMABA for disciplinary action.

Referees must record all safeguarding interventions, concussion withdrawals, and halted contests in the event’s official records as soon as practicable, and no later than the end of the event day.

Documentation must include:

All records must be submitted using BMABA-approved reporting forms or systems to ensure consistency and traceability.
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Records must be handled confidentially, stored securely, and shared only with authorised safeguarding personnel in line with data protection requirements.
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Documentation will be reviewed as part of BMABA’s safeguarding compliance audits and may form part of Regulation Ready and Club Colours assessments.

Provide Clear Rationale

Ensure Consistency with Standards

Maintain Impartiality and Transparency

Record Key Decisions

Engage with Oversight

Adult competitors (18+) must confirm they are entering the bout voluntarily, free from coercion, undue pressure, or intimidation.

Referees should assess verbal and non-verbal cues to identify hesitation, distress, or unwillingness. Where concerns arise, referees may pause or refuse the bout until clarity is obtained.

Competitors must demonstrate a basic understanding of the ruleset, referee commands, and expectations around safety.

For all competitors under 18, referees must confirm that parental or guardian consent has been formally obtained by the organiser in advance of the event.

Referees should ensure that children appear comfortable and willing to participate; visible fear, reluctance, or refusal must be respected as a withdrawal of consent.

Where children express unwillingness to compete, even with parental consent, referees must prioritise the child’s welfare and refuse the bout.

For adults with additional safeguarding considerations (e.g., learning disabilities, cognitive impairments), referees must ensure appropriate consent procedures have been followed, in line with BMABA’s National Safeguarding Policy.

Where decision-making capacity is in question, referees should seek clarification from the organiser or safeguarding officer before allowing participation.

Consent must be informed: participants must know the rules of the contest, the nature of the risks involved, and the role of the referee in protecting safety.

Referees should provide a short pre-bout briefing to reinforce understanding, especially for first-time competitors, and ensure all participants are clear on procedures for starting, ending and exiting competition.

Competitors may withdraw consent at any stage, before or during a bout, either verbally or by clear non-verbal signal (e.g., refusing to continue).

Referees must respect any such withdrawal immediately and terminate the contest.

Coaches, organisers, or parents may not override a participant’s withdrawal of consent.

Referees should satisfy themselves that the organiser has retained signed consent forms for all participants, particularly minors.

Where no evidence of consent exists, referees must escalate to the safeguarding officer and suspend the bout until resolved.

Referees must visually assess each competitor for signs of illness, injury, intoxication, extreme fatigue, or emotional distress.

Referees should use brief verbal interaction (e.g., greeting or safety confirmation) to gauge awareness, confidence, and ability to respond appropriately.

Indicators of concern may include: unsteady movement, disorientation, abnormal behaviour, visible injuries, or reluctance to engage.

Where concerns arise, referees may require immediate clearance from the appointed medic, paramedic, or first aider before allowing the bout to proceed.

Referees must refuse participation if the competitor shows signs of concussion, recent head injury, or is suspected of being within a Return-to-Play (RtP) sit-out period, in line with BMABA’s Concussion & Head Injury Management Policy (CHIMA).

Any participant presenting with open wounds, untreated injuries, or inappropriate protective equipment must be excluded until remedied.

Referees must consider the emotional readiness of participants, particularly children and vulnerable adults. Signs of fear, withdrawal, or distress must be taken seriously.

Where a participant is reluctant or appears coerced, referees must prioritise welfare over competition and may refuse the bout.

Safeguarding concerns identified during readiness checks must be escalated to the DSL immediately (see Section 4.4.2).

Referees must refuse participation where a fighter is clearly unfit or unsafe to compete, regardless of coach, organiser, or audience pressure.

This decision is protected under the Stated-Once-Stand principle and cannot be overturned.

Referees must document the rationale for refusal, including any medical or safeguarding referral, in line with Section 4.4.5 (Accountability & Documentation).

Referees must confirm, either directly or via the organiser or appointed medic, that participants have undergone the required medical checks prior to competition.

Medical clearance must be appropriate to the event’s risk level (e.g., pre-bout check-ins for light-contact competitions, full medical assessments where heavy contact is expected).

Referees may require additional medical assessment where there are concerns about a participant’s fitness to compete.

Particular attention must be given to the identification of concussion risk and adherence to BMABA’s Concussion & Head Injury Management Policy (CHIMA).

Referees must confirm that no participant is currently subject to a Return-to-Play (RtP) sit-out period following a previous concussion or head injury.

If referees suspect a participant has not been appropriately screened or has returned prematurely, they must refuse participation until satisfactory assurances are provided.

Referees must confirm that qualified medical provision (e.g., medic, paramedic, or trained first aider) is present and appropriate to the scale and type of event.

Medical personnel must be readily accessible during all bouts, with immediate access to essential equipment (e.g., first aid kits, AED, concussion tools).

If medical cover is absent, delayed, or inadequate, referees must halt or suspend competition until provision meets minimum standards.

Referees have full authority to demand medical clearance before a bout begins, or to remove a participant if doubts about fitness or concussion safety persist.

Decisions to delay, suspend, or cancel a bout on medical or concussion grounds are binding under the Stated-Once-Stand principle.

All such decisions must be documented in accordance with Section 4.4.5 (Accountability & Documentation).

Gloves or hand protection.

Gum shields / mouthguards.

Groin guards (male and female competitors).

Headguards (where required by ruleset or age group).

Shin guards, chest guards, or other discipline-specific safety gear.

Equipment must be safe, intact, and free from tampering or modification that could create unfair advantage or increased risk (e.g., loaded gloves, altered padding).

All gear must meet the event’s published standards and, where applicable, recognised international or national equipment standards (e.g., CE-marked protective equipment).

Organisers are responsible for ensuring equipment standards are published in advance; referees are responsible for enforcing compliance in-bout.

Referees may refuse participation or delay the bout until unsafe or non-compliant equipment is replaced or rectified.

Any attempt to bypass equipment checks or conceal non-compliant gear must be treated as misconduct and reported to the organiser and BMABA.

Where repeated or systemic failures in equipment compliance are identified, referees may escalate concerns to BMABA under Section 4.4.2 (Safeguarding Concerns).

Referees must also be alert to hygiene issues (e.g., shared gum shields, visibly unsanitary equipment) that may present a health risk.

Any equipment that is excessively worn, broken, or unhygienic must not be permitted in competition.

Where bouts are delayed, cancelled, or modified due to equipment issues, referees must record the reason and outcome in accordance with Section 4.4.5 (Accountability & Documentation).

Competitors must be matched within appropriate age categories, respecting physical, cognitive, and emotional maturity.

Under no circumstances should a child (under 18) compete against an adult (18+) in any contact or competitive capacity, regardless of weight, size, skill, or experience.

The sole exception is for strictly non-contact, non-competitive, form-based, or demonstration-based settings, where participation is controlled, risk-assessed, and clearly safe.

Children and young people must never be paired against significantly older or more developed opponents within youth categories if the mismatch presents a safeguarding risk.

Where a proposed pairing raises concern, referees must treat it as a safeguarding red flag and refuse the bout unless there is clear evidence of safety compliance within the above exception.

Pairings must reflect safe and proportionate weight categories, with allowances for discipline-specific tolerances (e.g., striking vs. grappling).

Systemic mismatches in weight or size must be treated as a safeguarding concern, not merely a competitive disadvantage.

Referees must ensure compliance with BMABA safeguarding and inclusion policies regarding gender.

Where mixed-gender contests are proposed, referees must confirm that the pairing is explicitly permitted under event rules and safeguarding protocols, and that consent and parental/guardian approval (for minors) have been obtained.

The welfare of participants must remain paramount, regardless of competitive or cultural pressures.

Competitors should only be paired where their technical level, fight experience, and training background are reasonably aligned.

Novices must not be matched against significantly more experienced fighters, even where weight and age are comparable.

Particular care must be taken with first-time competitors, who may lack the resilience or tactical awareness to safely manage competition.

Referees must exercise heightened vigilance when contests involve children, young people, or vulnerable adults.

Pairings must be assessed for additional safeguarding risks (e.g., SEND needs, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, physical impairments).

Where vulnerability is identified, referees must ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (e.g., modified rules, shorter rounds, additional protective equipment).

Where mismatches or safeguarding risks are identified, referees are empowered to refuse the bout or require changes before it begins.

This authority applies even where organisers, coaches, or participants disagree.

Such decisions are protected under the Stated-Once-Stand principle and cannot be overridden.

Any bout refused, modified, or escalated due to safeguarding suitability must be documented in accordance with Section 4.4.5 (Accountability & Documentation).

Referees must review bout pairings to ensure they are based on legitimate criteria such as age, weight, experience, and ability.

Pairings must not be influenced by commercial interests, favouritism, or attempts to create “easy wins” for particular fighters or clubs.

Any evidence of systematic bias in matchmaking must be treated as a safeguarding and integrity concern, reported under Section 4.4.2 (Safeguarding Concerns).

Referees must officiate with complete impartiality, ensuring that no fighter or club receives preferential treatment.

Personal relationships, club affiliations, or financial interests must never influence decisions before, during, or after a bout.

Where concerns of bias arise, referees must err on the side of transparency and recuse themselves where appropriate.

Where a conflict of interest exists — for example, refereeing a direct student, family member, close associate, or member of the referee’s own club — referees must declare this immediately to the organiser.

Wherever possible, referees should be reassigned to avoid the conflict.

If reassignment is not possible, referees must ensure their decision-making can withstand scrutiny, with all rulings documented in accordance with Section 4.4.5 (Accountability & Documentation).

Referees must support transparency in bout allocation by cooperating with oversight processes, including BMABA audits and event governance reviews under the National Martial Arts Event Safety & Governance Framework (NMESGF).

Any concerns about biased pairing practices must be escalated to the DSL or BMABA governance team for investigation.

To establish clear communication between referee and participants.

To ensure fighters understand referee commands, signals, and stoppage procedures.

To reinforce safety protocols, including concussion withdrawal and safeguarding-first principles.

To confirm that both fighters are competing under the same understanding of the ruleset.

The start and stop commands to be used (verbal and non-verbal signals).

How fighters should respond when instructed to break, stop, or separate.

Safety expectations, including the prohibition of illegal or dangerous techniques under the event’s ruleset.

Clear instruction that referees will stop the bout immediately if safety or welfare is at risk, in line with the Stated-Once-Stand principle.

Guidance on what constitutes withdrawal of consent (e.g., verbal refusal, non-engagement, or tap-out in grappling).

The briefing should be short, direct, and delivered in language appropriate to the participants’ age and level of understanding.

For children, young people, or participants with SEND, referees must ensure the briefing is age-appropriate, inclusive, and accessible.

Where language barriers exist, referees must ensure a competent translator or coach communicates the instructions effectively.

Referees must make clear that their priority is the safety and welfare of participants, above competition outcomes.

Participants should be reminded that they can withdraw at any time, without penalty, if they feel unsafe or unfit to continue.

Coaches and corners must respect all referee interventions, especially those concerning safeguarding or medical withdrawal.

Referees must deliver pre-bout briefings consistently across all bouts.

Event organisers are encouraged to provide a standardised briefing script, approved by BMABA, to ensure uniformity.

Any deviation from the standard briefing (e.g., due to discipline-specific rules) should be documented in event records.

Referees must maintain effective positioning at all times to maximise visibility of the action and ensure rapid intervention when needed.

Positioning should minimise interference with competitors while maintaining readiness to intervene in the event of danger.

Referees must remain physically alert, free from distraction, and must adjust their movement dynamically around the ring or mat to maintain clear sightlines and anticipate developing situations.
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Referees must use clear, consistent, and recognised verbal and non-verbal signals to manage the bout.

Fighters must be able to easily recognise instructions such as start, stop, break, and time-out.

Referees must confirm understanding of signals during the pre-bout briefing (see Section 5.7).

Signals must be delivered in a manner that is discipline-appropriate and both audible and visible within the competition environment, ensuring they are not lost in noise or confusion.

Referees must apply competition rules fairly, consistently, and without favour or bias.

All rulings must prioritise safety over competitive spectacle, entertainment value, or audience expectation.

Where rules permit referee discretion (e.g., warnings vs. point deductions), decisions must be transparent and capable of justification under review.
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Referees are responsible for managing the conduct of coaches, corners, and team officials during a bout.

Coaches may only interact with fighters within permitted boundaries and must not attempt to influence referees’ decisions.

Instructions from corners must never compromise fighter safety, safeguarding duties, or concussion protocols.

Referees are empowered to issue warnings, remove individuals from the competition area, or escalate concerns to organisers where corner behaviour compromises safety or integrity (see Section 4.3.6).

The referee’s authority over corners and coaches is final and protected under the Stated-Once-Stand principle when safety or safeguarding is at issue.
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Referees must immediately halt the bout if a participant shows signs of concussion, serious injury, or inability to defend themselves.

Decisions to stop a bout on welfare grounds are binding under the Stated-Once-Stand principle and cannot be overturned.

Referees must call for medical intervention without delay and ensure that the injured participant receives priority care.

No bout may resume, nor may a participant re-enter competition, without explicit clearance from a qualified medical professional.
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Referees must consistently apply a safeguarding-first approach, intervening whenever necessary to protect children, young people, or vulnerable adults.

Where safeguarding conflicts with competition outcomes (e.g., a participant disadvantaged by referee stoppage), safeguarding must take precedence.

Referees must treat disclosures or safeguarding concerns raised mid-bout as legitimate and act immediately to protect welfare.

Any safeguarding intervention must be escalated in accordance with Section 4.4.2 (Safeguarding Concerns), ensuring concerns are reported to the DSL, BMABA, or statutory services as required.
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Referees must remain calm, respectful, and professional in all interactions with fighters, coaches, and organisers.

Referees must not allow crowd reactions, external pressure, or personal relationships to influence their conduct.

Body language, tone of voice, and demeanour must reinforce authority while maintaining respect for all participants.

All decisions must be applied uniformly across competitors and bouts within the event.

Referees must be able to clearly communicate rulings to fighters, coaches, and, where appropriate, event officials.

Decisions must prioritise participant welfare over competitive or commercial considerations.

Scoring must be carried out in line with the event’s published ruleset.

Where referees are responsible for awarding points or outcomes, scoring must be based only on legitimate techniques and conduct within the rules.

Any deviation from the ruleset must be explained and justified in writing if challenged.

Outcomes (win, loss, draw, or stoppage) must be based solely on fair application of rules, referee observations, and safeguarding priorities.

Referees must not be influenced by crowd reaction, coach intervention, or external pressure.

In the case of injury stoppages or safeguarding withdrawals, outcomes must reflect the primacy of participant welfare.

Where event rules provide tie-break mechanisms, referees must apply them consistently and transparently.

If the ruleset is silent, referees must record the rationale for any discretionary call made to resolve a draw or contested decision.

Referees must avoid officiating in circumstances where conflicts of interest exist (e.g., officiating their own student, club member, or family member).

Where unavoidable, referees must declare the conflict to the organiser and ensure decisions are transparently documented.

Referees must actively guard against unconscious bias, including favouring certain styles, demographics, or clubs.

Referees must maintain accurate records of decisions that materially affect bout outcomes, particularly where stoppages, withdrawals, or appeals may arise.

All decisions must be capable of justification under post-event review, safeguarding audit, or disciplinary processes.

Documentation should reference the relevant NROS clause where appropriate, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Referees must report any safeguarding concern, disclosure, or incident immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the event.

If no DSL is present, concerns must be escalated directly to BMABA’s safeguarding officers or statutory authorities (e.g., police, local authority).

Failure to report safeguarding concerns may result in disciplinary action under BMABA’s governance framework.

If a participant discloses abuse, neglect, or risk of harm, referees must listen calmly, take the disclosure seriously, and avoid interrupting or leading questions.

Disclosures must be recorded factually, in the participant’s own words wherever possible, and escalated in line with Section 8.1 Mandatory Reporting.

Confidentiality must be maintained, with information shared only on a strict need-to-know basis with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), BMABA safeguarding officers, or statutory services.

Referees must not promise absolute confidentiality, as safeguarding duties require appropriate escalation.

Referees must not investigate or attempt to resolve disclosures themselves; their role is to protect the participant and pass the concern to the appropriate safeguarding authority.

Referees must immediately remove from competition any participant suspected of sustaining a concussion or serious head injury, applying the principle: “If in doubt, sit them out.”

Participants removed on suspicion of concussion must not return to competition under any circumstances, regardless of coach, organiser, or parental pressure.

Referees must ensure that the participant is referred to qualified medical personnel for assessment and that the incident is recorded in the official event documentation.

All actions must be taken in accordance with BMABA’s Concussion & Head Injury Management Policy (CHIMA), which sets out:

Referees must be alert to both obvious and subtle indicators of concussion (e.g., confusion, balance issues, delayed responses, behavioural changes) and act decisively even where symptoms appear mild.

Where adequate medical provision is absent, referees must halt competition until suitable provision is restored, as required under CHIMA.

All decisions made under this section are binding under the Stated-Once-Stand principle and cannot be overturned.

Referees must ensure that bouts involving children, young people, or vulnerable adults meet the highest safeguarding standards, in line with BMABA’s National Safeguarding Policy and statutory guidance.

This duty extends beyond physical safety to include developmental, emotional, and psychological wellbeing, with particular regard for children with special educational needs, disabilities (SEND), or other vulnerabilities.

Referees must act proactively, preventing contests from starting where risk factors are identified, and intervening immediately to stop contests that become unsafe.

They must prevent or stop any contest where participants are exposed to inappropriate risk due to age, weight, experience, ability, gender, or safeguarding considerations.

Any attempt to override a referee’s safeguarding withdrawal will be treated as misconduct under Section 4.5 (Non-Interference Clause) and may result in disciplinary referral to BMABA.

Referees are empowered to refuse or terminate bouts where pairings are unsafe, inappropriate, or non-compliant with safeguarding standards.

This authority is protected by the Stated-Once-Stand principle and cannot be overridden by organisers, promoters, or senior officials.

Unsafe pairings must be documented and escalated as safeguarding concerns.

Referees must remain alert to safeguarding concerns outside the immediate bout environment, in line with BMABA’s National Safeguarding Policy.

This duty applies to risks observed or reported in areas such as warm-up zones, spectator areas, changing facilities, or during arrival/departure from the venue.

Examples include inappropriate conduct by adults, unsafe supervision, neglect of children, or behaviour that may place vulnerable participants at risk.

Referees are not responsible for general venue supervision, but where they observe or are made aware of a concern, they must take action to escalate and record it.

Any concerns must be reported and documented in the same manner as in-bout incidents, following Section 8.1 Mandatory Reporting and Section 4.4.5 Accountability & Documentation.

Referee assignments and bout allocations.

Bout outcomes, including method of decision (e.g., points, stoppage, withdrawal).

Stoppages or suspensions, with reasons stated (e.g., injury, mismatch, safeguarding concern).

Medical interventions, including concussion withdrawals or referrals to healthcare providers.

Safeguarding incidents, disclosures, or welfare-related interventions.

All concussion withdrawals must be logged in line with BMABA’s Concussion & Head Injury Management Policy (CHIMA).

Safeguarding concerns must be documented factually, in the participant’s own words where applicable, and escalated in accordance with Section 8.1 Mandatory Reporting.

Referees must not withhold or delay documentation due to pressure from organisers, coaches, or parents.

Referees must cooperate with event organisers to ensure records are collected and submitted in a timely manner.

Where events operate under BMABA governance, records must be integrated into Club Colours and Regulation Ready logs to maintain organisational accountability.

In non-BMABA sanctioned events, referees are expected to retain personal copies of their officiating notes and provide them to BMABA on request for compliance monitoring.

Records must be treated as confidential and stored securely, in compliance with BMABA’s Data Protection Policy and relevant legislation (e.g., GDPR).

Personal data should only be shared with authorised safeguarding, medical, or governance personnel.

Documentation may be reviewed during BMABA safeguarding audits, disciplinary proceedings, or insurance investigations.

Referees must be prepared to justify decisions recorded, including the rationale for stoppages, withdrawals, or safeguarding escalations.

Failure to complete accurate and timely documentation may constitute misconduct under NROS and lead to disciplinary action.

Act with impartiality and fairness, avoiding favouritism, bias, or perceived conflicts of interest.

Treat all fighters, coaches, organisers, and spectators with respect and professionalism.

Use clear, professional, and appropriate language in all interactions.

Maintain a professional appearance, including wearing appropriate officiating attire approved for the event.

Remain calm, composed, and authoritative under pressure, even in high-stress or confrontational situations.

Prioritise safeguarding and welfare in every decision, above competitive or commercial considerations.

Referees must not accept inducements, favours, or gifts that could compromise impartiality.

Decisions must always be made on the basis of safety, fairness, and the ruleset — never for personal, club, or commercial gain.

Referees must be able to justify their decisions under review or appeal, in line with Section 7: Decision-Making Standards.

Favouritism or bias towards particular fighters, clubs, or styles.

Disrespectful, abusive, or aggressive behaviour towards participants, coaches, organisers, or spectators.

Use of discriminatory, offensive, or inappropriate language or conduct.

Officiating while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any condition impairing judgement.

Breach of safeguarding, concussion, or welfare protocols as set out in Sections 4 and 8.

Knowingly officiating in circumstances of conflict of interest (e.g., direct student, family member, financial ties).

Accepting or soliciting gifts, inducements, or favours that could compromise impartiality.

Betting, gambling, or involvement in wagering on events in which the referee is officiating.

Engaging in conduct outside the bout (including online or on social media) that brings officiating, BMABA, or the martial arts community into disrepute.

Breaches of conduct or professional standards may result in sanctions under BMABA’s enforcement framework, including warnings, retraining requirements, suspension, or removal from the NROS register.

Misconduct involving safeguarding, welfare, or integrity will be treated as gross misconduct and may result in immediate suspension pending investigation. In line with our processes for managing complaints, this may include action up to and including ejection.

Referees found guilty of misconduct may be reported to statutory safeguarding bodies, insurers, or relevant authorities as required.
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Referees are encouraged to seek feedback from peers, mentors, and BMABA assessors to maintain and improve professional standards.

Participation in CPD activities (see Section 11) is both a requirement and an opportunity to develop professional conduct and ethical awareness in line with national best practice.

Safeguarding Training – renewal at least every 3 years (in line with BMABA’s safeguarding policy and sector norms).

First Aid Training – renewal at least every 3 years, with specific awareness of concussion and head injuries.

Concussion Awareness / CHIMA Updates – refreshers as required when BMABA issues updated guidance or evidence-based changes to policy.

Event Governance & Refereeing Standards – periodic refreshers or revalidation as directed by BMABA (e.g., every 3–5 years).

Referees may be required to undergo formal revalidation at intervals set by BMABA (normally every 3 years).

Revalidation may include demonstration of officiating competence, submission of event documentation, and evidence of CPD compliance.

Failure to revalidate within the required timeframe may result in suspension or removal from the NROS register until requirements are met.

CPD may be delivered through a combination of BMABA courses, external qualifications recognised under BMABA’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework, online learning, and practical officiating assessments.

Referees are encouraged to undertake additional CPD in areas such as equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), conflict management, and event risk assessment.

Referees are responsible for maintaining personal records of CPD activities and must provide evidence to BMABA upon request.

CPD compliance will be monitored as part of BMABA’s safeguarding audits, Regulation Ready scoring, and Club Colours assurance processes.

Non-compliance with CPD requirements may result in sanctions, including suspension of eligibility to officiate.

Official – the universal term used throughout NROS to describe any person appointed to oversee, regulate, or judge a martial arts contest or bout. This includes referees, judges, umpires, timekeepers, or other officiating staff.

Referee – the lead official inside the ring, mat, or contest area, with authority to start, stop, or manage the bout in progress. Where an event uses the title Umpire or equivalent, the same responsibilities are covered under this definition.

Judge – an official who evaluates the performance of competitors and contributes to scoring outcomes, but does not directly intervene in the contest.

Timekeeper – an official responsible for accurately managing bout duration, intervals, and stoppage timing.

Event Official / Event Team – the collective group of referees, judges, timekeepers, and other appointed roles responsible for ensuring bouts are conducted safely, fairly, and in compliance with NROS and BMABA governance.

Appointed Authority – refers to the designated senior official, head referee, or event organiser empowered by BMABA or the sanctioning body to appoint, assign, and oversee officials.