Dear UKBJJA members,

Here follows our updated guidance regarding the Coronavirus / Covid-19 Pandemic.

On 12 May, the Government published its Covid-19 Recovery Strategy and announced a limited review of lockdown measures. The devolved regions (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) have published their own strategies.

As of this date, our guidance to BJJ clubs/gyms/academies remains unchanged: BJJ gyms/academies continue to remain closed. BJJ related training must be limited to remote learning via video, solo/grappling dummy drills, or training only with a member of your own household. 

We are continuing to liaise with the Sports Councils of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and we are actively exploring strategies which would allow gyms to re-open as soon and as safely as possible, within the official government guidelines.

We are also speaking to the governing bodies of other contact sports (Rugby, Boxing, Judo and Wrestling) to establish whether a common training approach can be developed that maintains participant safety while allowing a phased return to the sports we love.

We appreciate the huge pressures that BJJ clubs and instructors are under and would like to direct you to the following resources:

BJJ Viral Support Network: a fantastic resource of training videos that allows you to keep student fees coming in, along with free legal and HR advice

Kids’ Professor: a brilliant new site aimed at kids/juniors that has been made freely available by its creator, US black belt Jeremy Arel. Full of drills, tips and techniques and a systematic curriculum for kids’ BJJ

Official UK Government financial support for businesses this summarises the available financial support to businesses and sole traders, including:
Business Rates Relief
Small Business Grant Fund (grant funding of either £10,000 or £25,000, available via your local authority)
Self-employed Income Support Scheme
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan (borrow up to 25% of your turnover, interest free for the first 12 months)

Sport England Community Emergency Fund (Temporarily paused for applications, but likely to resume in the future. BJJ clubs in England are eligible to apply)

When seeking financial support in all cases, we recommend all club/gym owners to speak to their accountant or local business advisor to ensure they are accessing the best solution.

Official Government documents that may be of interest:

UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy

Welsh Government  Framework for Recovery

Scottish Government Framework for Decision Making

Northern Ireland Covid-19 Recovery Plan

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at info@ukbjja.org or call +44 (0) 191 283 7910

Thank you for your patience and continued support. We really hope to see you back on the mats as soon as it is safe.

Mike Williams,
CEO