Sports Minister visits Budokwai announce Martial Arts Code

Tracey Crouch, the Minister for Sport, visited The Budokwai on March 1 to announce a new martial arts code to strengthen children’s safeguarding.

The Code, developed by the sector and Sport England, will empower parents and carers to make informed choices when deciding which martial arts clubs or activities their children attend.

It will also help safeguard adults at risk, who take part in martial arts.

Organisations, clubs, providers and coaches, such as those in British Judo can pledge to sign up to the voluntary code, which will go live in June.

The standards are based on the best practice standards set by the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit and are designed to work for every type of martial arts provider, from clubs, which are affiliated to a governing body, through to individual coaches and instructors.

Ms Crouch said: ”Safeguarding is a responsibility that everyone needs to take with the utmost seriousness. Martial arts are exciting sports that not only get children active but teaches them mental and physical control.

“This code gives parents the knowledge to make informed decisions and allows clubs to demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards of child protection.”

She is the latest in a long line of Ministers to have visited The Budokwai, which this year is celebrating its centenary and indeed the centenary of judo in Europe.

Others have included Colin Moynihan, Tony Banks and Helen Grant, who was herself a north of England junior judo champion.

Ms Crouch went on the mat during her visit to try the sport together with Peter Blewett, the Budokwai chairman and vice-chairman of  British Judo, David Mesa Rey, one of the club’s junior instructors, and a number of the junior members of The Budokwai.