Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do I need to be a member of any Association?
You don’t unless you are a traditional system, like Karate, and wish your students to have access to a national squad. However, the benefits both objective and subjective of having a ‘home’ for you and your people should outweigh being on your own.
Q. Do you offer Instructor qualifications?
Yes, as well as the range of Dan grade certifications form physical gradings to grade recognition, we have one of the world’s finest programmes in the Combat Coach course - details of which you will find on this portal site.
Q. How can I prove my qualifications and grades?
Typically, Instructors come to us who have many years under their belts with a checkable background in a traditional system or art. With Instructors who are at the beginning of that path we will invite them up to train with us, supply their proposed teaching and grading syllabus (if applicable) or supply video of them teaching.
Q. How much to join as an independent club or group?
On each site, depending on what you are currently engaged in, we have all membership details and costs. We have always set out for the costs to be simple to understand with no hidden extras that only emerge when you are in membership
Q. Can I grade my own students?
Yes, we don’t impose any restrictions on Instructors grading their people, but if an external grading is required this can be carried out for any system within one of the CG Associations
Q. Can I stay as a completely independent club/group
This is fundamental to the philosophy Geoff and I embarked on over 20 years ago with the founding of the BCA. We want people to be with us and stay with us because of what we offer, not because of what we dictate. There are few, simple rules and standards, but no one loses their independence by being with us.
Q. Does the Combat Group provide classes to students
No, we work with our instructor cadre, either on our Combat Coach programmes, our Instructor training courses, coaching courses and through our business development support. This we hope improves the subsequent delivery down to the student membership.
Q. Can I speak to some member Instructors to seek their opinions?
Absolutely, as well as the testimonials you will find on the CG sites, we can always link you in with Instructors who made the difficult decision you are taking to hear how it’s been for them after taking the leap to join.