Can the MAIA protect the public from bogus MA's?

**Kungfoolss** · Posted On: 6/12/2003 2:51am

Check if you're unsure of an instructor's credentials

12 June 2003

MARTIAL ARTS

THE Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA), in cooperation with NSW Sport and Recreation Department, has developed an Industry Code of Conduct to safeguard against bogus instructors. The MAIA also provides a national checking service (1300 654 118) to check on the accreditation status of any martial arts instructor.

While the martial arts are gaining popularity at a phenomenal rate, an unfortunate by-product of this boom in popularity has been a dramatic increase in the number of unqualified and unethical martial artists who attempt to take advantage of members of the community who have no way of ascertaining the validity of an instructor's qualifications. Bogus titles, awards, ranks and credentials by these individuals are the order of the day. This misrepresentation is not only detrimental to the professional instructor but also breaches acceptable consumer, health and safety standards. To provide the community with a reliable standard the MAIA now acts as the peak industry body for the martial arts and represents the industry to all State and Territory governments as well as the Federal Government.

Orange based regional director of the Department of Sport and Recreation, Paul Conlon said: "It is positive to see the MAIA taking a proactive approach to accreditation by regionalising these important programs. Sport and Rec is supportive of this initiative and hopefully programs like this will help eliminate charlatans from the martial arts industry." Branch coordinator of the Orange PCYC, senior constable Shane Whiley, said: "The MAIA's coaching accreditation program enables the community to identify with a minimum standard of competency. The PCYC takes the well being of our members seriously, and as such our policy now requires all martial arts instructors teaching from our facilities to be appropriately accredited." When people are looking for a martial arts school they can now ask if the instructor is accredited. Government accredited instructors can produce their official coaching card to potential members.

The next NCAS course for Country NSW is available in Orange on June 14 at the Orange Ex-Services Club. Any non-accredited martial artists are encouraged to contact local course coordinator Kevin Blundell on 6362-9329 for further details.

News link

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 6/12/2003 3:06am

The one thing everybody should know is that this is in Australia. I don't think this would fly. There would be no serious way to regulate it and would be opposed on all fronts because most Americans love their individuality. Plus how do you regulate a "art".....

Heh, up late tonight.

Go away I'm talking to myself

**Fighty McGee** · Posted On: 6/12/2003 9:07am

France has something similar.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 6/12/2003 12:44pm

Well there you go, anything France does we should boycott.

Go away I'm talking to myself

**Miguksaram** · Posted On: 6/12/2003 1:10pm

NAPMA already has a similar thing called the American Council of Martial Arts. It is a certification program that you study and receive certification through them. The information is actually pretty good. However, this is no different than getting a certification from John Does Council of Martial Arts. Who is to say they are the industry standards?

Jeremy M. Talbott
http://www.koreanma.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.martialscience.homestead.com/home.html