British Aikido Board

The National Governing Body for Aikido in the United Kingdom.
Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, that focuses on harmonising with your opponent, it can be practised as a sport, self defence and an art using hand to hand and japanese weapons.

Welcome to the British Aikido Board

The British Aikido Board seeks to:-

  • Represent the majority of bona fide organisations practicing aikido in the United Kingdom.
  • Support, encourage and promote the highest standards of aikido within an environment of mutual respect for offering styles practiced.
  • Raise awareness of the value of aikido not only as a contributor towards healthy living, but also in the development of adults, young people and children, without regard to race, gender or creed.

The British Aikido Board operates primarily through its member Associations. There are 55 currently Full Member Associations with 0 Associate and Probationary Member Associations of regional and national status, who each retain their independence, both technically and financially, with a combined membership of some 5,000 , which includes 1242 instructors holding current Coaching Awards.

The Board is recognised by Sport England , as the only governing body for aikido in the United Kingdom and is a member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

 

The Board seeks to further the advancement of all styles of aikido and to establish and monitor standards of safety and behaviour for practitioners of aikido.

The Board advises member Associations on all relevant UK and European legislation and procedures and develops appropriate policies and codes of practice.

Other services provided include:-
•  Insurance cover, for members, instructors and Associations.
•  Promotion of a Nationally recognised Coaching Scheme in conjunction with UK Coaching / Sport England.
•  Organising a National Courses.
•  Supporting initiatives to encourage the teaching of Aikido in schools.
•  Publishing Newsletters and specialist information bulletins eg. Safeguarding and Coaching.

The Board has completed a number of initiatives, arising from the work of their major Governance Audit and through the adoption of a wide range of recommendations, contained in their Aikido Development Plan will support their key objective of encouraging all Aikido groups to join together under this “Aikido umbrella”.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

British Aikido Board
Vincent Sumpter British Aikido Board

Vincent Sumpter (Previous BAB Chairman Retires from Aikido January 2025)

Vincent Sumpter was a Chairman of the BAB and the Insurance Officer for many years after that. He sent a new year message out announcing his retirement from Aikido which is shown below, The BAB thanks him for his long term support of Aikido in his many roles over the years.

It’s been over a year now since I have done any training or teaching in aikido, following which I have come to terms with the fact that I am now of an age which precludes me doing anything meaningful in this martial art; that is to say, to enjoy my aikido I want to train as well as teach. The joy of the art is not just being tori but also being able to take ukemi with some vigour. And, as regards teaching, I no longer believe in my ability to impart my knowledge – such that it is, or ever was – in a teaching/coaching role.

I want to look back on my (almost) 50 years of aikido, training and teaching, with a great deal of pleasure and thankfulness for what it has contributed to my life and the many friendships made around the world. So, before I become a real “has been” my New Year Resolution is to “hang up my hakama and gi”.

Having made that decision has, in itself, given me a great deal of comfort for my future life in 2025.

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