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The C.M.A.A. was founded in 2002 and is still expanding. We have asked C.M.A.A. members to tell us what they think has kept us going while other groups have failed or closed down, some would call this '360 feedback'.

 

To start with here is a quote from the C.M.A.A. President and Founder, Andrew Morrell

‘I founded the C.M.A.A. as an open-minded body for all Martial Arts styles to join should they wish to. The one thing I have tried to maintain is that we don’t make bold claims as other groups are still doing in claiming to be ‘The Governing Body’ or ‘Simply the Best Organisation’. Instead we just do what we do in support of our members and here are some of their comments’:

 

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I think, for me, it's been about the helpfulness of not just the officials which has been amazing but also the fellow instructors. The feeling that everyone is treated equally and with respect no matter the style or size of the club.

The main difference I have found from the other organisations I've belonged to is you had to be in the right club or close to the right people to have a voice. In the C.M.A.A. everyone has a voice.

Paul Holt

 

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Honesty is always a good place to start, but besides that from my own experience with the C.M.A.A. in developing Cobra Wales, expanding Dragons, being promoted to 7th Dan and qualifying as area manager, the support structure that is in place is second to none both from Andy Morrell and Gordon Scott Russell, so i have come to think of the C.M.A.A. more as a family of martial artists other than just another organisation.
Mark Haines

 

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You get to keep the clubs tradition and identity. But there's always some one on hand to give advice when needed. Every one on here that I've spoken to and met are all down to earth and there's no bull sh*t that can be found with some Martial Arts Associations/Organizations.

Mike Harwood

 

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As a new member to the C.M.A.A. what Paul Holt said above says it all! Great appraisal.

To add my own comment, I've known Andy Morrell for a long long time, and haven't always seen eye to eye. But the way he has welcomed me into the organisation, treated me with such respect, and then have seen for myself first hand what wonderful achievements and strides forwards he and his fellow directors and close instructors have made, not just in the C.M.A.A. but with the likes of 'The MASA 5', CRB checks, the Instructor program etc etc which all help to improve the value of instruction students can expect from a C.M.A.A. registered club, is to me, an excellent job very well done.

Steve Balfe

 

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You’re a straight talking, knowledgeable nice guy Andy…Simple as that and I’m very happy to be associated with you.

Kevin Pell

 

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The C.M.A.A. has grown and will continue to do so because first impressions count in my opinion and while others give almost a sales pitch and a load of, (thinking of a better word… sorry I can’t), bullsh*t which most of us can’t abide. When i called and explained what I wanted to start the Confidence Academy you could of led me a merry go round but you didn’t, you gave me exactly the right information no bull, no ego, no big I am just honest straight down the line truth which I thank you for.

Stuart Smith 

 

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Excellent Customer service in our opinion is fundamental for every Governing Body to deliver, especially for small clubs who need support and guidance.

I have been with three governing bodies since I started teaching martial arts in 1997. I won’t mention their names but they are large orgainsations. I found that because my clubs were small the previous Governing Bodies were either unable or unwilling to properly give advice or support, hence they lost our business! However, we joined C.M.A.A. in August 2008 and have noted the following:

A Governing Body that best demonstrates excellent customer service and has a distinct advantage over its competition.

Significance

The C.M.A.A. know their business, in this case Martial Arts and all the legislation that is required to run a club legally and successfully.

Accessibility

The C.M.A.A. acknowledge our questions in a timely manner. In addition the C.M.A.A. have the means through their experienced people to answer more difficult or technical questions.

Function

The C.M.A.A. solve issues and problems promptly, or as a minimum execute a reasonable plan of action.

Considerations

I have personally found that Andy has excellent listening and communication skills and understands what it is as a customer that we require as an individual and as a club.

 

I could go on forever, however I hope that the information above gives any future club the incentive to do the right thing and become full members of Cobra. It was a step we at the Amateur Kickboxing Academy took three years ago and have never looked back.

Alan Reid

 

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I was trained by another instructor who sadly gave up his club just before I was due my 1st Dan. I met Andrew Morrell and he welcomed myself and a number of students from my old club into his club with open arms.

When I moved to Wales I decided to open my own club and travelled back to Manchester to do my 1st Dan with the C.M.A.A. and they gave me all the help and support I needed no mater what time of day always happy to help.

As for the rest of the C.M.A.A. Instructors I haven't met anyone that isn't happy to give advice and support.

To sum it all up I consider the C.M.A.A. to be like one big happy family

Peter Watkins

 

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The C.M.A.A. is the most Ethical Martial Arts Organization I know.

Tim White

 

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For me, joining the C.M.A.A. was a step we took with caution, not because it didn’t look good but because it looked too good to be true. Having trained in Karate for over 23 years now, I have seen many an organisation crumble and fail due to politics, crime and much more.

I decided that the C.M.A.A. would be worth joining to see what it was really like and I can only say that it is better than I ever anticipated and has managed to boost my enthusiasm for teaching and training more. Every instructor I have spoken to has been friendly and willing to help each other as am I with any C.M.A.A. instructor I can help. Andy Morrell is a first class gentleman who is always happy to help no matter how big or small the problem.

As for being too god to be true, that is just wrong, the C.M.A.A. define excellence in Martial Arts, simple. So a better way to phrase it would be "Exceptionally Good and All True!"

Oss

Andrew Banks

 

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The C.M.A.A does exactly what it says on the tin, no false claims, no B.S., no big boasts, just honest decent hard working people! Enough said!

Julian Mallalieu

 

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As a new member I've found that the information, advice and help given to me have been the most valuable things so far. Previous organisations I have belonged to were always very secretive and although the people running them were friendly there was always a "them and us" atmosphere. When I decided to leave my last organisation I was going to stop teaching and just continue with my own training, if it wasn't for Mr Morrell and Cobra I would have. I recommend Cobra to everyone I know, but some people can't see the benefits or are worried about making a change.

Mark Kell

 

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I have found Cobra to be helpful, supportive, non judgemental, friendly to new comers, sharing knowledge for improvement of both students and instructors. But with set but not out of reach standards. I have nothing but respect to all members of Cobra, but mainly Andy and Gordon. All good friends. Big thanks to you and all the other instructors in the C.M.A.A.

David O’Meara

 

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I remember as if it were yesterday, the day I phoned Andy about certain ‘problems’ I was having with the club I was with at the time (non-Cobra) and that I was looking to set up somewhere my own.

To be honest, I’d already phoned a couple of other associations and it’s just one of things where you get the impression that something isn’t right….I’d already decided that I wasn’t going to stay with FEKO…

That first time that I phoned Andy which I think was probably around February 2007, a couple of months before I actually left my old club but was slowly getting myself organised with bits ‘n’ pieces, finding a hall, etc. something just clicked straight away as if I was talking to an old friend but yet we knew nothing about each other (and yes, I remember the conversation about ‘The Goodies’). …and I certainly remember that he was very genuinely supportive. I joined C.M.A.A. in March 2007 and the level of help I got was way beyond what I imagined any other association would have given me (including the website Andy kindly made for me).

Andy’s been a great help all along the way. I’ve made some great friends through Cobra too.

So from me, “happy anniversary Cobra. God bless this association and all those who train in her” [said in a high-pitched Queen's English kind of way]

Lee Batchelor

 

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For me the C.M.A.A. has a complete package for Instructors who just want to pass on their knowledge of their particular Martial Art. The support you get is second to none and they have a no nonsense approach. My own clubs have benefited by making new friends through the C.M.A.A. who are now training partners. Mr Morrell goes out of his way to ensure you are respected and guided with every aspect regarding your schools and Mr. Russell makes you feel welcome the first time you meet him. I am proud to say I am part of the C.M.A.A. family now.

John Brennan

 

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I joined the C.M.A.A. because it is an open, non-political and most of all helpful organisation. How did I know this? Because I had known its founder, through IAOMAS for quite some time before I joined (when my previous organisations membership expired), so was able to observe how he conducted himself and how the organisation ran so knew it was top notch and the place for those that like to teach/train martial arts to be with.

Stuart Anslow

 

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The C.M.A.A. has been great for us here in Ireland as there is a huge amount of experience and information, which has really helped in setting up our club, info on the Instructor course was excellent for example. Also worth mentioning, on my application to Andrew there were some questions for me to answer re my Black Belt Cert, this put an important creditability to the C.M.A.A. straightaway unlike other organisations. My own Instructor has been fantastic with the traditional methods and with the support of a well-structured modern organisation, teaching students has been planned and the club is going forward in a specific direction. The Kids syllabus is hugely based on Cobra FMA now. I would also thank the C.M.A.A. for grading me to 3rd Dan as this option was not available to me in Ireland. I look forward to working closely with the C.M.A.A. over the many years to come. Thanks again.

Robin Jackman

 

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I joined Cobra in July 2006 when i decided to leave my previous club and start up on my own . I spoke to Andy on the phone and by speaking to him it was as if i had known him for years even thou i had never met him at the time.  I am glad i made the step up and joined the C.M.A.A .They are always on the end of a phone or e-mail if you have a query or need advice . Thanks for everything.

Ray Grey