Advice for parents and carers
If your child is involved in a combat sport like boxing, karate, judo, taekwondo, or kickboxing, it’s natural to want reassurance that the club they attend is safe, well-run, and accountable. That’s why we’ve updated our Parent’s Hub information, advice and guidance to help parents better understand what makes a good club — especially when it comes to competitions.
Below we’ve highlighted some of our updates.
What is a national governing body (NGB)?
A national governing body is the official organisation responsible for overseeing a particular sport in the UK. NGBs set the rules, makes sure safety standards are met, and support clubs with training, safeguarding, and development. There are several recognised NGBs for martial arts and combat sports, but there are also sports that don’t have an NGB or clubs that are not part of a wider network.
Always check to see if your child’s club or sport competition is affiliated to an NGB or has registered with the Safeguarding Code for Martial Arts. This will help you to understand whether they are working within national standards governed by an over-arching body.
For advice on how to check this, visit the Parent’s Hub.
You can find lists of recognised NGBs on our help and advice pages.
What should a good combat sports club be doing?
Whether your child is just starting out or already competing, here are some key things to look for.
- Links to an NGB – ask the club which NGB they’re affiliated with and check the NGB’s website to confirm.
- Qualified coaches – coaches should have up-to-date training, including safeguarding and first aid.
- Clear safeguarding policies – there should be a named welfare officer and clear procedures for reporting concerns.
- Safe environment – the club should have appropriate equipment, insurance, and risk assessments in place.
- Welcoming and inclusive – a good club welcomes children of all backgrounds and abilities.
For more advice on what clubs should have in place, visit our pages on the Parents’ Hub.
Things to consider about combat sport competitions
Competitions can be exciting and rewarding, but they also come with added responsibilities. Here’s what parents can think about to help their child enjoy their competition:
1. Is the competition sanctioned by an NGB?
Sanctioned events follow strict safety and welfare standards. Referees and medical cover are put in place, and matchups are safe and fair. Unregulated competitions may use different rules and safeguards that don’t meet these standards.
2. Is your child ready to compete?
Children should never be pressured into competing. Coaches should assess readiness based on physicality, skill, confidence, and emotional maturity — not just age.
3. What safeguarding measures are in place?
There should be a designated safeguarding lead at the event alongside competition-specific safeguard plans, risk assessments and emergency cover. Parents should be allowed to watch and there should be clear procedures for dealing with injuries or concerns.
4. Weight categories and matching
In sports like boxing or judo, children are matched by weight and experience. Clubs and event organisers should follow NGB guidelines to make sure matchups are safe and fair. If there are mixed ages or abilities, the physical safety of any young person may be put at risk when engaging in the activity with older (probably larger) competitors.
5. Travel and supervision
Who is responsible for your child during travel and at the event? Are there enough adults to supervise? Are consent forms and emergency contacts collected?
6. Medical support
There should be qualified first aiders or medical staff on-site. For major competitions, it is reasonable to expect paramedics and ambulances to be on site or available.
You should be informed about any injuries or incidents immediately.
For more advice on what parents should expect from combat sport competitions, visit our pages on the Parent’s Hub.
One thing parents and carers can do
Combat sports can be incredibly rewarding for young people – building confidence, discipline, and fitness. But safety and good governance are essential. By understanding the role of NGBs and knowing what to look for in clubs and competitions, you can feel more confident when talking to your child’s club, or choosing a sport for your child, that puts their health, wellbeing and safety first.
If parents can do one thing, it would be to read our information advice and guidance and ask questions. A good combat sport club or competition organiser will be happy to provide information. And if you don’t feel comfortable or have a worry, the NSPCC Helpline can support you.