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COMBAT CLUB NGB CEOS CONTINUE COLLABORATION

The CEOs of British Judo, British Wrestling, GB Boxing, British Taekwondo and British Fencing met in Manchester to share learnings and update on current and future collaborations as part of the Combat Club initiative.

Combat Club is a cross NGB coach development initiative which brings together performance coaches for learning and development opportunities.

Alongside these coach development opportunities, the Combat Club CEOs aim to regularly meet to share learnings and discuss current and future collaborations across all areas of National Governing Body work.

Dave Marshall, CEO of British Taekwondo hosted the meeting at the House of Sport in Manchester, joined by Craig Anthony (British Wrestling), Matt Holt (GB Boxing), Andrew Scoular (British Judo), and Georgina Usher (British Fencing)

Topics discussed at this meeting included:

  • AI Usage – Different approaches, opportunities and risks were discussed and action taken to share policies and good practice.
  • Safeguarding Structure – the MOU between British Fencing, British Judo and Wrestling is working well, there was further discussion on extending the MOU to other sports. Commitment to investigate joint procurement of a concern raising system, currently we all provide different reporting mechanisms. Further discussion on deeper integration in relation to complex case management and sharing of training resources.
  • Governance Efficiencies – Discussion continued on the role of British bodies in reducing the duplicated governance work often across smaller home country bodies, sharing feedback from recent/current projects.
  • Combat Centre/Facilities – With the Combat Centre plans for Walsall on hold a broader discussion was held around the different venues currently used by the sports for significant Domestic events/national championships. Concern that whilst money can be raised for major international events there is a shortage of suitable affordable facilities for National level competition which impacts offer to members and pathway.  Sports discussed whether hosting events on same weekend in same city, even at same venues could make alternative venues viable. Issues around set-up costs to turn exhibition venues into competition spaces would increase costs to NGBs/participants.
  • Women and Girls – Discussed the challenges in attracting and retaining women and girls as participants and coaches (from clubs to World Class Programmes). Will be looking into creating a cross sport Combat campaign to encourage women and girls to consider Combat Sports.
  • Other topics discussed included strategic engagement with Sport England and UK Sport, and recent NGB Coalition updates.