Community

Building a better martial arts community.

Qualified coaches

Over 250 qualified IBF coaches world wide.

Clubs

Clubs all over the United Kingdom in a range of different martial arts disciplines.

Latest news

Get the latest news and information from the IBFGB including future seminars and events!

Membership

2025 - 2026 For you to maintain validity for your grade and yearly stamped* membership to the IBF Great Britain there is an annual cost £24.00 Adults and £14.00 Juniors

* If your IBF Budo pass is not stamped then your grade is no longer valid or recognised regardless of retirement from active participation, failure to pay your yearly membership will mean if you pay 2025 - 2026 then you will be required to pay the previous year also to maintain validity.

IBF registration and membership form

Being a member of the International Budo Federation Great Britain entitles you to half price fees to all Internationa Budo Federation Great Britain seminars and your grade recognised in over 30 different countries.

Photography and filming consent form

In accordance with our child protection policy, we will not permit photographs, video or other images of young people to be taken without consent. If the child is under 16, consent must be obtained from a parent/carer.

Safeguarding Officers

Tom Starling
Safeguarding Children Level 3
Jenna Kassam
Safeguarding Children Level 3

Safeguarding Children Policy

The IBF fully recognises the need to make optimal provision for the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young persons, that participate in martial arts, either as a self-defence art or sport environment and acknowledges it's moral and legal responsibility to ensure that the welfare of the child is paramount.

IBF Code of Conduct

Participate in martial arts for enjoyment and in a manner consistent with the IBF values of honesty, respect, trust and martial arts spirit.

Social Media Policy

Whilst the IBF recognises the importance of social media and the many positive effects it can have, we also recognise that without a code of practice the risks which social media poses can have negative consequences for individuals and for the organisation as a whole.

IBF-GB Officials & Black Belt Register

President IBF-GB Sensei Tom Starling 8th Dan; Vice President IBF-GB Sensei Hayden Michaels 5th Dan.

Official IBF-GB Sensei Julian Mallaleu 7th Dan; Official IBF-GB Grand Master Martin Sillitoe; Official IBF-GB Sensei Jenna Kassam 5th Dan; Official IBF-GB Sensei Brett Lemon 5th Dan; Official IBF-GB Rob Lewis 3rd Dan

Sensei Tom Starling

8th Dan

President IBF GB
Kyoshi Julian Mallaileu

7th Dan

Shito-Ryu Shukokai
Grand Master Martin Sillitoe

7th Dan

Bulldog Nickelstick Balintawak Escrima UK Representative
Sensei Hayden Michaels

5th Dan

Vice President and Secretary IBF GB
Sensei Jenna Kassam

5th Dan

Child Protection Officer and Official IBF GB
Sensei Brett Lemon

5th Dan

WJJF
Sensei Sven Pederson

4th Dan

President IBF Denmark
Sensei Rob Lewis

3rd Dan

Wado-Ryu Karate
Sensei Sven Kohlstedde

3rd Dan

Official IBF Germany
Sensei Mark Gage

3rd Dan

IBF & WJJF
Sensei Samantha Hawes

2nd Dan

WJJF
Sensei Samantha Goggins

1st Dan

WJJF

Guidance for the meaning of President, Vice Presidents, Officials, Instructors and Coach titles in the IBF-International

The International Budo Federation was created by Sensei Peter Schonewille 10th Dan Taekwondo in the Netherlands in the mid 1960's.

As the IBF was a fundamentally European based Martial Arts Organisation western titles were used to demonstrate senior positions within the IBF.

The IBF President, Vice President and Official Country titles are more suitable for all parties within European and Western cultures.

Although primarily teaching Eastern Japanese, Chinese and Korean Martial Arts, instructors often used titles such as Sensei, Sifu and Sabom respectfully.

Other titles should only be awarded by heads of Martial Arts Organisations from their respective Country of origin.

The IBF does not recognise self promotions or self given gradings in any of the Martial Arts.

We definitely do not grade people higher just for just joining the IBF-GB.

If you join the IBF from other organisations or are in dual membership and with another Organisation the IBF-GB has the right to refuse recognition of your grade and if you state falsely your grade or present false documents of proof at the time or are found out to be later you have provided false certification or proof you will be removed from the IBF-GB as a member.


You will have a right to appeal to the President of the IBF International, the Technical Commissioner of the IBF International and the international Committee at their annual meeting.

Sensei Tom Starling 8th Dan | President IBF GB

Kyu grading

Tabs FREE Obi/Belt £5 extra.

Complete Kyu grading fee breakdown below.

Yellow

Junior price.

£10

Adult price.

£20

Orange

Junior price.

£15

Adult price.

£30

Green

Junior price.

£20

Adult price.

£40

Blue

Junior price.

£25

Adult price.

£50

Purple

Junior price.

£30

Adult price.

£60

Brown

Junior price.

£35

Adult price.

£70

Dan grading

The International Budo Federation-GB Kano Jiu-Jitsu Dan Grading Syllabus

Dan Gradings are attributed to Kano Sensei and his development of Jiu-Jitsu (Judo)

The coloured belt and Dan Grades are a system of recognising rank and greater expertise in our syllabus. This was then adopted by many different Martial Arts.

There are two Dan grading systems recognised for Kano Jiu-Jitsu by the IBF-GB these are Technical (Traditional Kodokan Katas) or Competitive freestyle. This being subject to the IBF-GB Technical Commision and the IBF-International Committee's permission.

1st Dan Shodan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Official Grading Syllabus IBF-GB Minimum age of 16

2nd Dan Nidan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB Traditional or Freestyle if Traditional must include the Kime No Kata and the Nage No Kata.

3rd Dan Sandan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB Traditional or Freestyle if Traditional must include the Kime No Kata, Nage No Kata and Kodokan Goshin Jutsu.

4th Dan Yondan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB Traditional or Freestyle if Traditional must include the Kime No Kata, Nage No Kata, Kodokan Goshin Jutsu and Katame No Kata.

5th Dan Godan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB Traditional or Freestyle if Traditional must include the Kime No Kata, Nage No Kata, Kodokan Goshin Jutsu, Katame No Kata and Koshiki No Kata.

Any grading above 5th Dan (6th - 8th Dan) are a voted grade and is awarded by the IBF-International Committee's permission subject to your complete Martial Arts CV and proposal from your Country National representative. These votes are once a year normally in October at International Congress.

6th Dan Rokudan Kano Jiu-Jitsu IBF-GB (Minimum age of 35) Must be proposed by your IBF Country Committee President.

From 1st Dan the Senior Grading Examiner must be two grades above the Grade you are going for ie: you are Grading for 2nd Dan your Grading Examiner should be a minimum of a 4th Dan. If this is not possible a grading Panel of no less than three Examiners all being one grade above the Grade you are going for ie: you are Grading for 2nd Dan your Grading Panel must consist of three 3rd Dans.

Complete Dan grading fee breakdown below.

Shodan

£100

Must be 17 years of age or older.

Nidan

£125

Must be Over 18 and two years Training Since 1st Dan.

Sandan

£150

Minimum guide three Years Training Since 2nd Dan.

Yondan

£175

Minimum guide four Years Training Since 3rd Dan.

Godan

£200

Minimum guide five Years Training Since 4th Dan.

Rokudan

£250

Minimum guide six Years training Since 5th Dan.