Welcome to a martial arts association with a difference:

Welcome to the website of The British Goshin Budo Association.

If you are a martial arts group who is looking for the freedom to practice and teach with no interference then look no further.

The British Goshin Budo Association is an independent association offering martial arts groups services that they need without the politics that often go with it.

Please note that we are an association, NOT a governing body. We will not try to govern what you practice or how you practice.

The services we offer can be taken collectively or individually.

For example:

Student to student insurance.

PI and PL Insurance.

Provision of licence books (bespoke to your style, logo and grading structure).

Enhanced CRB Checks.

First aid courses.

Certification for gradings.

Black belt certification.

Martial arts training days & seminars.

Tournaments/Competitions.

Most associations offer a complete package of these which may not suit some groups. Many associations insist that instructors have "officially recognised" coaching qualifications before they allow anything else. With The BGBA, instructors can mix and match the services that they need.

Contrary to popular belief there is no one official governing body for martial arts and there are hundreds, if not thousands of splinter groups.

The BGBA understands that there are many people who may be out on a limb because they have had the bravery to "go it alone" and teach without the political interference from governing bodies.

We are a small association in the early stages and are looking to build links with other like minded martial art instructors and clubs to make a large affiliation.

This way, we can share knowledge and experiences, train, learn, compete and socialise in an open and friendly environment which is free from ego and interference.

Darren Whitehead - 5th Dan

I am Darren Whitehead, the co-founder of The BGBA and have been involved in martial arts since 1975. My late father, Jeff Whitehead, was the founder of The BGBA.

My father sadly passed away in 2009 and I now run The BGBA. I am committed to ensuring fairness and impartiality within the association.

I want to run an association that is free from ego and politics, where an open and honest relationship flourishes between all instructors.

I am not precious about Dan grades and I have no issue with an instructor of a higher rank joining the association. I don't claim to be the "top dog". I run the association, it's as simple as that. If I can provide a service to someone whom I can equally learn from then everyone is a winner.

Please feel free to browse the site to see if there is anything of interest to you.

Darren Whitehead

5th Dan

Goshin Budo

Disclaimer: Please do not attempt any of the techniques shown in any photograph on this website unless under the supervision and agreement of a suitably qualified instructor. Neither Darren Whitehead, The British Goshin Budo Association nor The International Goshin Budo Federation will be held accountable or responsible for any injuries caused by any person attempting these techniques.