United Martial Alliance

History
U.M.A. (United Martial Alliance) was Founded and Formed in October 2003. The U.M.A. is an Independent and Totally Non Political Organisation, for the Benefit of both The Martial Arts and its Practitioners. Hence, U.M.A. (United Martial Alliance) is controlled and run by its Members. This is truly an Independent, and Non Political Alliance run by and for the Martial Artists, for the Benefit of the Martial Arts and its Practitioners.

We have a Membership of Students, Instructors, Coach's, Clubs, Academies and Affiliates Countrywide, with a variety of Martial Arts Styles, Systems and Disciplines within our Alliance. U.M.A. has a Policy of Non Political, Non Interference, Non Prejudice and is Totally Democratically run for the Benefit of its Students, Instructors, Coach's, Clubs, Academies and Affiliates. Instructors and Coach's work to their own Syllabus, Customs and Practices. However U.M.A. have a Wealth of Technical Backup if required. We can provide First Class Tuition and Coaching in varied Martial Art Systems, Styles and Disciplines, from Qualified and Experienced Instructors and Coach's.

The U.M.A. wants to bring and Unite all Students, Instructors, Coach's, Clubs, Academies and Affiliates from all Martial Arts Disciplines together to share their knowledge and build a Strong Spirit of Friendship within the Alliance.

Purposes
To promote the Sport and General Practice of Martial Arts and recognised Coaching of the same.
To promote codes of safety in sport and practice of the same.
To promote the moral, mental, physical, and social well being of members.
To obtain, collect, receive, and administer money and funds for these purposes.
To cooperate with other Bodies having similar aims and purposes.
The Alliance shall be both Amateur and Professional, and be controlled by a Committee of Member Officers.
The Alliance's Competitions, Tournaments and Contests shall be amateur, semi professional and professional.

Professional Instructors and Coach's
Are welcome in our Alliance, subject to the Rules and Regulations of our Constitution.

Insurance
We have the available, Personal, Public Accident and Indemnity Cover for Students, Instructors, Coach's Members, Clubs and Competitions etc.

Student Gradings
Authorised Instructors and Coach's may Grade their own Students up to Two Grades below Examiner e.g. 1st Dan/Degree/Level can Grade to 2nd Mon/Kyu/level and so in etc. Mon/Kyu/Level Grades require minimum three months between Grades. Assistance with Gradings and Courses can be arranged if required.

Dan/Degree/Level Gradings
These are awarded by either Appointed Instructors or Coach's of our Alliance and N.G.B. Dan/Degree/Level Holders from other reputable Clubs and Associations etc, will be honoured subject to approval. The formula is: Minimum 3 years to 1st Dan/Degree/Level (but usually 5). Then 2 more to 2nd Dan/Degree/Level, then 3 more to 3rd Dan/Degree/Level and so on, etc. 5th Dan/Degree/Level and above by approval of the U.M.A. Officers Committee and N.G.B. only. Note these are minimum's and exceptional. U.M.A. Dan/Degree/Level Grade Certificates are available to Approved Dan/Degree/Level Holders.

Cadet Dan/Degree/Level Gradings
Persons under 18 years are classed as Cadets. The "C" or Cadet must prefix the Dan/Degree/Level Grade on any Publication. They must revert to Senior Kyu Grading (1st Kyu) before their 18th Birthday and take a Senior Dan/Degree/level Grading on or after their 18th Birthday. Dan/Degree/Level Grade, Refereeing, Judging, Coaching, Health and Safety, and coordinating Courses in all U.M.A. Styles are available on request.

Training
U.M.A. and our N.G.B. can help provide and arrange Courses with other Clubs, Associations, Affiliates and Governing Bodies for National Coaching Diplomas, N.V.Q.'s. Courses, First Aid, and Refereeing Certificates etc. All Students, Instructors and Coach's are encouraged and advised to seek continual advancement.

Regional, National & International Tournaments, Championships & Contests
U.M.A. Organise and attend only reputable Competitions, Tournaments, Championships and Contests.

Martial Arts Styles & Disciplines
Many Martial Arts styles and Disciplines co-exist within the U.M.A. Some follow the Traditional Styles and Curricula; some combine to form New Ways. All this is quite valid so long as the Teaching, Training, Coaching and the Curriculum can be Approved, and so long as the Mon/Kyu/Level and Dan/Degree/Level or Rank achieved can hold up with the best in any Style and Discipline. U.M.A. has many Martial Arts Disciplines within our Alliance. They all have Ad-Hoc Committees, which meet as and when required.

Instructors & Coach's
Must be of minimum age of (18) and hold an Approved Dan/Degree/Level or Equivalent. They must have Personal and Public Liability and Indemnity Insurance, these can be purchased from the U.M.A. on an annual basis. New Entrants must supply photocopies of Dan/Degree/Level Grades or Rank and or Certificates and if these are from unknown sources then we may require to Assess the Applicant by either one of U.M.A. or our N.G.B. Designated Officers.

Constitution
A copy of the U.M.A. Constitution is available free of charge upon on request.

Member Officers Committee
Nominations are receivable every year for the Officers at the A.G.M. Other Committees are Appointed to cover Special Needs and Purposes.

On completion on your Application to join U.M.A., please send your Current License and Mon/Kyu/Level or Dan/Degree/Level Grade or Rank Certificates as well as any other Instructors or Coach's at your Club. Once your Application has been received by the Secretary, it is put before the Officers here at the U.M.A and our N.G.B., for their decision on acceptance. Once a Student, Instructor, Coach, Club, Association or Affiliate is accepted you will be issued with a Full U.M.A. Licence duly signed up to your Mon/Kyu/Level or Dan/Degree/Level Grade or Rank.

U.M.A. Mon/Kyu/Level Grade Certificates and Dan/Degree/level Grade Certificates are available from the Secretary, and there use is encouraged, to show a Bonafied Grade, Rank or Title backed up by U.M.A. and our N.G.B. We hope that you feel that we are the Organization and Alliance that will help you and your Club and Students Develop and move forward, achieving Higher Grades and Aspiring to Higher Standards and the Pursuit of Excellence within the Martial Arts World.

Finally...
If you decide to join us here at U.M.A., you will be entering into a voluntary arrangement with fellow Members in a Independent, Democratic Organisation and Alliance. The Committee’s Officers and Organisers are here to help you at your request. We hold no bias, a Beginner or 10th Mon/Kyu/Level Student or Newest Recruit has as good a voice as a 9th or 10th Dan/Degree/Level Instructor, Coach or Master etc. We have no Dictators, we hate Politics and Spin, if that's what you seek, then we are not the Organisation for you, there are plenty of Organisations out there that play the political game and love spin, we don't, we are Martial Artists and not Politicians, hence, this is one of the many reasons why this Alliance was formed. We also don't pursue any over priced Compulsory Courses or Gradings unlike many other so called organisations, we are here to help and benefit you, and we welcome a wide variety of Students, Instructors, Coach's, Clubs, Academies and Affiliates, from all Martial Arts Disciplines, Systems and Styles.