British Naginata Association (BNA)

Whilst everything was set up in November 2005, we had to wait and declare the official date as January 2006 for “establishing” of the British Naginata Association.

We have a Constitution (legally checked), a logo designed to incorporate the British flag and naginata’s budo attributes, a small (3 person) Executive, a bank account and finally we tap-danced and arranged full insurance for the budo of Naginata.

Our bank is HSBC, and our account name is naturally “British Naginata Association” – all money, cheques & donations gratefully received (!) payable to “British Naginata Association” (naturally).

Initially the main reason for setting up the BNA was to gain a stronger hand in negotiating insurance for a club and club instructor(s), and for presenting a professional front to deal with the British legal & legislative issues (under English & Welsh law) to set up just one club.

Insurance has been put in place for the budo of solely, (Atarashii) Naginata.

What is now important to note, for all those in Britain (British people and foreigners here) is that the British Naginata Association is covered with Civil Liability and Personal Liability.

Members of the BNA have, member to member, and member to instructor insurance for Naginata

The chief instructor has Personal Indemnity (for instructor/sensei status) insurance too, and is covered by the term “Employers Liability cover” also (as the BNA ‘engaged’ instructor, in addition to the CL & PL summarised above, for Naginata)

The civil liability and personal liability also covers the London Naginata Club, and the Executive Committee* (3) of the British Naginata Association.

The PI covers the Chief Instructor being able to coach and hire a venue to teach a club/seminar. It is the legal liability cover demanded as a minimum to legitimately run and teach a budo club (and certificates must be produced to hire halls/venues).

From January 2008, the Assistant Instructor, has the same as the above, re: cover on the liability fronts. This enables her to cover when the Chief Instructor is away.

Our Constitution covers more fully the terms and conditions of Membership (with insurance) to the BNA.

Membership will not be offered unless an individual has at least first attended a Naginata practice session at a recognised BNA (club/seminar) venue.

Please see the Membership details page for more detail about Insurance & Joining BNA.

Finally the chief instructor also has Criminal Record Bureau certification (CRB) so that the club and association could meet its legal obligations to accept juniors (at our discretion) between ages 16-18, and “vulnerable members of society”, such as the disabled and socially disadvantaged, as long as acceptance of any of these individuals in the above named categories,  does not  contravene any secondary policy that affects or impinges primarily, the Health & Safety or Human Rights, Acts, of the current membership of the BNA or those practicing at the London Naginata Club.

Any BNA member who becomes a Dan grade, who wishes to qualify as assigned “Instructor status”, will have to undertake a CRB check, in order to gain CRB certification (this is compulsory by our insurers). Without it, Dan grade individuals (foreign or British) will not be awarded BNA instructor status.

Children

“Child” as defined by the Childrens Act 1998 (England & Wales), is classed as an individual under the age of 18.  Please note, due to the very small nature of our association despite assigning a designated Child Protection Officer, as now demanded by legislation, when teaching children - the efforts to have lots of children is beyond our scope & resources. Even though, the Chief Instructor is now insured and CRB checked to teach children, how the association until further notice, has decided not to routinely accept children under the age 18 - due mainly to the legal complications & difficulties of Children practicing with Adults (ie. those deemd over the age of 18). It is a deeply regrettable situation, and we hope this can be reviewed as the BNA grows, or as and when we receive serious enquiries to teach anyone under age 16.

BUT - Anyone between ages 16-18, will be assessed on a case by case basis and may require the parent or guardian to be present during practices and/or seminars. We do teach children, but teaching must be 'tailored' and is quite different. They will not be engaged fully physical combat contact with adults when starting out as beginners in Naginata (not even adults are, except against the chief instructor). Please talk to us if this matter affects you wishing to practice Naginata - we don't want to deter determined enthusiasm.

(Separate documents, (not on this website) summarising our policy compliance under English & Welsh Law only, such as H&S; Child Protection; Race & Sex Discrimination; Data Protection; Human Rights, Acts – are available upon request by BNA members).

*Current BNA Executive (from Oct 2008-Dec 2010)