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BS How did this idea come to you?
SR To be honest, it was at SENI last year, I looked around and realised that the Martial Arts is a huge industry. I looked at all the different arts, from Thai boxing to Karate, Ju Jitsu, Taekwondo, Silat, Kickboxing, RBSD, MMA and so on; the list is endless - and realised that they are only different faces to the same jewel that is the Martial Arts. The standards for setting up a club or association are the same; we would all expect the instructor or coach to have a black belt or equivalent, an enhanced CRB check, a basic coaching qualification and to be properly insured. The club should also have a variety of policies in place. It’s not brain surgery.
BS Is MASA a governing body?
SR No. It’s a non profit making body designed to support the Martial Arts. We are unique and aren’t in conflict with anyone, we are working with and supporting other bodies and companies to harmonise the standards. Sport England recognises a few of the arts and funds them for their ‘sporting’ activities but there is a huge number of martial artists out there who don’t do sport martial arts, do more than one martial art, or not an officially recognised one and have limited access to resources, and no method of recognition and yet could easily match what would be recognised as ‘national standards’.
BS You say MASA is non profit making?
SR That’s right. It is ‘ring fenced’. It does no business. MASA is ONLY about standards. We incorporated in January 2005 and every registration payment into the account is still there. There has not been a single withdrawal or payment out. Setting up the company, the website, the office, the meetings have all been done at the Directors own expense.
BS That is unique! Why?
SR Yes it is, because we believe in what we are doing. This is our legacy to the Martial Arts. We don’t do business or take any money other than the minimal registration fee. We don’t want the politics and finance that many governing bodies and associations suffer from. We set the standards with nationally recognised qualifications and then guide prospective members to the wide range of resources that they can be obtained from.
BS What does the membership consist of?
SR Associations, Clubs and Businesses in the Martial Arts.
BS How much is registration?
SR Registration is annual and is £250 for an association or business and £150 for a club.
BS What’s the registration process?
SR For associations and clubs it’s simple. Go to www.martialartstandards.org, download the forms and a copy of the standards that include all the policies that you need to run a club or association. Then send the completed forms to us. Any help required can be obtained by email from info@martialartstandards.org or by calling 01634 580111. Businesses can simply pay as they are sponsors to the standards.
BS Who has joined so far?
SR It’s a huge list Bob. It reads like a who’s who across the arts, multi disciplined associations like my own, Shi Kon and CMAA cover all the arts, then there are specialised groups like JKA England run by Yoshinobu Ohta, IASK with Nick Adamou 8th dan, The BWKU with Andrew Genery 6th Dan, ISKA with Pauline Bindra 8th dan, ESKA with Mick Randall MBE 8th Dan and Mike Nursey 7th Dan, BTKA with Chris Thompson 7th Dan, we have recently had the associations of Ronnie Christopher, Lawrence Elcock, Roy Hazlewood, and Andy Kidby register as well....
BS Okay okay.... stop! I get the message – it really is like a who’s who, all these guys have between 30 – 40 years in the Martial Arts each.
SR They are the people that immediately saw the sense in the Agency. Business sponsors include a range of companies like Martial Arts Illustrated, MBKAM, NEST, Blitz and SENI...
BS And you haven’t even launched yet! Why are you launching at SEN06?
SR A perfect launch pad for us. SENI management and MBKAM have been very supportive and immediately saw the value in what we’re doing. Our stand will be next to the seminar and the MBKAM area. We will have supporting martial artists on the stand all over the weekend - people like Chris Rowen, Jim Uglow, Russell Stutely, Nathan Johnson, Chris Thompson, Dennis Jones, Roger Wilkes and myself as well as the rest of the MASA Committee. We will also be responsible for the ‘MASA Martial Artist of the Year’ award ceremony at SENI06. Whoever you are, if you want to know about MASA, we are there for ALL martial arts - come and talk to us!
BS What about those that don’t meet the standards?
SR We’re there for ALL martial arts – we are truly INCLUSIVE, if you are able to make the standards but haven’t done so yet or are not sure - we will guide you through the route to qualification and the application process. Again, I stress that we are a support agency and are NOT dictatorial.
BS What’s your relationship with the ‘sport’ governing bodies?
SR We’re all working for the same thing, a safe and well structured environment for students to train in. The new unified governing body for karate, Karate England and the insurance industry approached us with the aim of utilising our common set of standards, qualifications, resources and expertise to monitor their standards and vet insurance applications.
BS How many students do you think you represent at the moment?
SR I’m not sure as there are people joining all time, but I would think over 40,000 and growing fast.
BS Who else is on the Committee?
SR The Secretary is Roger Wilkes 7th Dan Ju Jitsu, the Treasurer is Carl Reader an accountant from Dennis and Turnbull the Martial Arts accountancy company and the Standards Director is Martin Gatter 6th Dan Karate, International Tai Chi teacher, and also has dan grades in Iaido and Jodo, our policy advisor is Jonathan Austin Jones LL.M, LL.B, Barrister, so we are a particularly eclectic group. I would also like to thank the recently retired Chairman, Gerard Turvey and ex Members Director Jon Jepson for their help and support.
BS Where do you see MASA going from here?
SR We formed in January 2005 and have not advertised so far. We have grown simply by word of mouth. We never intended to be high profile because MASA is here forever and underpins good martial art practice. It would make sense for the insurance industry, governing bodies, Associations (who are the major governing bodies) clubs and businesses to utilise our resources and recognition.
I guess we will simply grow until that MASA logo with the tick is the recognition of the National Standards for anything to do with martial arts. It’s not what you do; it’s HOW you do it that counts!
BS Thanks for the interview Steve. We all look forward to seeing you at SENI – I understand that you’re also doing a seminar there?
SR That’s right Bob, I shall be doing a seminar on pushing hands for all martial artists.
The Martial Arts Standards Agency can be contacted at 01634 580111 or info@martialartstandards.org and you can visit the stall at SENI06 at the seminars area.
Home - Standards - Affiliation - FAQ - Board - Resources - News - Contact
MASA is new. MASA is unique. MASA is the Martial Arts finally growing up and setting up their own lead body for standards. Because of the uniqueness of MASA and the appearance of the red MASA logo with the tick everywhere, (including our magazine) I decided to interview the Chairman, our own ‘Beyond Technique’ columnist and renowned martial artist Steve Rowe.
BS Steve, what’s this MASA all about then?
SR We should have done this 30 years ago Bob. The Martial Arts are finally growing up. MASA is my idea, we all know the standards required by anyone setting up a club in the Martial Arts – and they are the same whatever martial art you do, we simply failed over all these years to set up our own body to recognise them.
During the last few days the Martial Arts Standards Agency (MASA) has received a considerable number of enquiries concerning the future of Karate England (KE). The vast majority of those enquiries have in the round sought answers with the purpose of determining blame with regard to the financial difficulty that currently besets KE. Unsurprisingly, they have also brought into focus a desire from some quarters to bring to account existing and past directors and other parties associated with KE. As a result it has been decided the most positive way forward for concerned MASA members was to try and set out a general response to their enquiries.
Firstly, the most important thing to remember at this stage is that no director or other connected party should be considered to have acted otherwise in the best interests of KE and its members. The point is, it is wholly inappropriate to seek to apportion blame where there is no cogent evidence capable of sustaining such views. Invariably, there are concerns over the extent of expenditure that has been incurred by KE during the last 11 months, however, until there has been a proper and qualified audit of that expenditure it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty that financial wrongdoing has in fact occurred.
As with any company, if financial misconduct has played a part in its demise then it is a matter for that company to determine whether such conduct can be properly laid at the door of any one or more individuals. Moreover, if there is uncertainty as to who might protect the interests of the company and its members then it may be possible that an independent investigative body would become involved. Typically, the Department of Trade and Industry is the most significant of such investigative bodies albeit on a few rare occasions Companies House or indeed the police would conduct their own enquiries.
With regard to what action can be taken against any individual or party that may later be found to have acted unlawfully it is quite possible that a court would lift the so-called protective ‘veil of incorporation’. Very simply, what that means is that a culpable party could be compelled to meet such losses as may be attributed to their conduct either directly or indirectly and whether those losses were incurred through personal or arms length dealings as through a third party such as another company or companies. Nevertheless, it is not necessarily a forgone conclusion that the veil of incorporation will be lifted in any particular case; it is not as simple as that and so it would be very wrong to draw that conclusion. Of course, if in the interest of justice it transpires the veil ought to be lifted then it should be understood the courts will have no difficulty in extending their authority so as to seize the property of those responsible with the purpose of making good a company’s losses.
Then returning to the current situation, MASA has no interest concerning KE and its board of directors. With that in mind therefore, MASA takes the view that KE’s difficulties are best left to those independent bodies that may be tasked with having to carry out their enquiries if it is considered to be an appropriate and responsible course of action to take.
In conclusion, MASA will continue to support and improve standards within the United Kingdom martial arts industries.
Jonathan Austin-Jones, LL.M, LL.B Barrister
Policy Advisor to MASA
Firstly, the most important thing to remember at this stage is that no director or other connected party should be considered to have acted otherwise in the best interests of KE and its members. The point is, it is wholly inappropriate to seek to apportion blame where there is no cogent evidence capable of sustaining such views. Invariably, there are concerns over the extent of expenditure that has been incurred by KE during the last 11 months, however, until there has been a proper and qualified audit of that expenditure it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty that financial wrongdoing has in fact occurred.
As with any company, if financial misconduct has played a part in its demise then it is a matter for that company to determine whether such conduct can be properly laid at the door of any one or more individuals. Moreover, if there is uncertainty as to who might protect the interests of the company and its members then it may be possible that an independent investigative body would become involved. Typically, the Department of Trade and Industry is the most significant of such investigative bodies albeit on a few rare occasions Companies House or indeed the police would conduct their own enquiries.
With regard to what action can be taken against any individual or party that may later be found to have acted unlawfully it is quite possible that a court would lift the so-
Then returning to the current situation, MASA has no interest concerning KE and its board of directors. With that in mind therefore, MASA takes the view that KE’s difficulties are best left to those independent bodies that may be tasked with having to carry out their enquiries if it is considered to be an appropriate and responsible course of action to take.
In conclusion, MASA will continue to support and improve standards within the United Kingdom martial arts industries.
Policy Advisor to MASA
After having recently made a statement with regards to Karate England (KE) both Steve Rowe and myself have now been inundated with enquiries concerning our resignation from its predecessor English Karate Governing Body (EKGB).
Obviously many MASA members and other interested parties have felt the impact of the current KE crisis and as result have sought answers from a number of sources with a view to determining whether KE’s difficulties can also be traced back to EKGB. Now it will come as no surprise to the vast majority of karateka that both Steve and I were until mid 2004 involved with EKGB at boardroom level. It is also no secret that we resigned from EKGB at the same time and in response to some serious concerns that we both shared. Of course, at the time of resigning we made a number of representations at the highest level and to the proper bodies. However, it is understood that no further action was taken and as a result the matter was not progressed by those deemed responsible for carrying out the relevant enquiries. Invariably of course, if we are approached by the Department of Trade and Industry or any other such body we will be left with no alternative but to reacquaint them with our earlier concerns. Consequently, at this stage and for fear of hindering any potential future enquiry Steve or I deeply regret we are not in a position to make any statement specifically dealing the management of either KE or EKGB.
In any event, Steve and all those concerned will continue to focus their efforts on supporting and improving standards in the martial arts industries through the independent body MASA.
Jonathan Austin-Jones, LL.M, LL.B Barrister
Policy Advisor to MASA
Policy Advisor to MASA
MASA on Karate England Ltd 11th November 2006
14th November 2006
MAY 2006
Martial Arts Illustrated cover story - Setting the Standards!
Martial Arts Illustrated cover story -
PREFERENTIAL INSURANCE DEALS 12th January 2007
STEVE ROWE GIVEN AWARD
Making his usual December visit to the Czech Republic to teach the Police and the Shi Kon members, Steve Rowe was invited to the Martial Arts 'Hall of Fame' awards night live on prime time television at the Congress Centre in Prague to receive an award for his services to the Martial Arts in the Czech Republic over the last 16 years. Steve has taught the Police and the Shi Kon group there for all that time visiting a minimum of 3 times a year and introduced many top martial arts practitioners to the public in Karate, Tai Chi, Iaido, Jodo and Aikido.
Asked to comment Steve said, "it's nice to receive an award, but the real reward to me is to watch the generations grow up and develop into good, strong, healthy, responsible citizens. It's like I have a second martial arts family here, headed by my good friend Ondra Musil and his family extending right across the Republic. Our Summer Courses here have developed into some of the best in the world, in one of the most beautiful places to be found anywhere in the world - it's always a pleasure to visit."
12th December 2007
MEETING WITH SPORT ENGLAND 21/12/07
We informed you in our last statement that Sport England had responded positively to a call for a meeting by the sport of Karate and that this had been subsequently arranged for 14 December at Victoria House in London and would provide the opportunity for all Karate bodies to come together and enable them to support the process of establishing a new and unified Governing Body. This meeting duly took place and was attended by representatives of Karate in England (KIE), Karate Sport England (KSE) and the English Karate Alliance (EKA). Apologies were received from the English Karate Federation (EKF).
Sport England was represented by Lisa Wainwright, Head of Governing Body Services, and Perry Crimmins, Sport England Karate Client Manager. The meeting was very positive from the outset, with our representatives being made very welcome and afforded every opportunity to give their views on the best way for Karate to establish this new Body as quickly as practical.
We have made every effort to keep Sport England up to date with our actions over the past year or so and they were therefore aware of our proposed solution via the interim federal structure of the New National Governing Body for English Karate (NNGBEK). Following discussion, it was suggested by Sport England that we continue to develop this structure for consideration at a further meeting in January to which KIE, KSE, EKA and EKF would be invited and this was agreed by all present.
We are very fortunate and grateful to be receiving expert advice on a voluntary basis from within the Karate fraternity on key issues relating to good governance practices which are supported by an appropriate constitution and robust accounting procedures and this has clearly demonstrated the great benefits of seeking advice and help in this way. It is our intention that in time we will have a number of voluntary experts in specific key areas who can liaise with each other and any appointed paid staff and be available when required to advise and guide the officers of the new body.
Opinion will be sought from Sport England on the constitution, the new business plan and on our plans for club and instructor accreditation, all of which will be worked on for the next meeting.
It is our aim to have all the documentation in place for the next meeting with Sport England so that the new Governing Body can become fully operational in January 2008.
The Sport England representatives clearly demonstrated their great wish to see Karate back on track and a sincere willingness to help – it’s now up to us!
We therefore look forward to a fresh and very positive start for Karate in 2008 and wish you all a pleasant and restful Festive Season.
Any questions from Association representatives on the current situation may be addressed by email to john.bell.1@hotmail.co.uk.
NB: Further details on the proposed NNGBEK Championships on Sunday 16 March 2008 (which will be open to all English Karate Associations) - will be posted as soon as they become available.