MTGB New Club Approval Process & Requirements
One of the aims of Muaythai GB (MTGB) is to improve the safety and standards of the sport in the UK.
For clubs to run safely MTGB have implemented an approval process which all new prospective members must go through to gain recognition and become verified members.
This process is part of MTGB’s commitment to ensuring our clubs and coaches reach and maintain good safeguarding standards.
Upon registration and payment of the registration fee clubs become affiliated member gyms.
To become a verified member clubs need provide evidence that the head coach and applicant has a relevant, up to date DBS check, First Aid Certificate, appropriate instructor indemnity insurance and a copy of your clubs safeguarding policy (The MTGB safeguarding policy is displayed on the website). Muaythai GB can help members acquire the above, but insurance and DBS checks supplied by other organisations are accepted. Full membership requirements are outlined below.
The membership process (Figure 1) and the benefits of membership at each stage (Table 1) are also outlined below.
Figure 1: Club Membership Process
The following criteria must be met by all MTGB member clubs:
Evidence the below is adhered to is needed for verified member status for your club/gym.
All club coaches and volunteers should be DBS checked. We will only ask for evidence for the head coach and/or applicant, but all coaches and volunteers should be DBS checked. MTGB can provide this service, but we will also accept DBS checks that have been carried out independently by the club. Certificates would have to be provided in the case of the latter and should be no older than three months. Note that all DBS certificates must be renewed every 3 years.
All club coaches should be first aid qualified. We will only ask for evidence that the head coach/applicant is but all club coaches should be. We will also accept first aid certificates from recognised bodies e.g. red cross, St john’s ambulance etc. If you need help sourcing First Aid training, we can help you.
All clubs must have an appropriate safeguarding policy in place. You are free to use our policy to create one. It is good practice for your policies including your safeguarding policy to be accessible on your gym/clubs website.
Other criteria that MTGB members should meet
We currently do not ask for proof of the following as a requirement of membership but all members should adhere to this criteria to meet basic safeguarding standards and safety in your gym/club set out by by Sport England and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)
Head coaches should have relevant qualifications. As grading systems are not common practice in Muaythai we do not ask for evidence of your status. However, you should hold relevant qualifications for coaching and personal training as a minimum.
All coaches should have completed a safeguarding course. With recognised bodies e.g. NSPCC, UK Coaching etc.
The courses offered by the following organisations are recommended:
https://www.anncrafttrust.org/
https://www.ukcoaching.org/courses
We also recommend all clubs should get their safeguarding code in martial arts mark with https://www.safeguardingcode.com/ Verified members will have met most of the standards required to receive this mark.
Membership means the member gym/coach agrees to abide by our code of conduct, safe practice policy, rules, and policies which are displayed in the “Governance” section of our site.
For all membership queries please email: membership@muaythaigb.org