Our History.

The RAF Martial Arts Association began life around 1986 as the embryonic RAF Martial Arts Federation. It sought to be an all-inclusive organisation representing the broad multitude of martial arts practitioners within the RAF and to provide training and competative opportunities. Chf Tech Brian Thompson had written a couple of articles for the RAFMAF newsletter and was in regular communication with the then secretary, Chf Tech Steve Hailstone. However, when Hailstone left the RAF in 1989-1990, the RAFMAF slipped into decline.

In 1992, Sgt Paul Fowler sought assistance to reinstate the RAFMAF, as only Karate and Taekwondo were getting any participation or coverage at the time. A Service-wide signal was sent out inviting people to register and attend a meeting at RAF Luffenham in 1994. There was a strong reponse of 97 people which enabled the meeting to go ahead. Later that year Flt Lt Jerry Kinder was asked to assist and a Service paper was written and presented to the RAF Sports Board requesting recognition for the Martial Arts. Subsequently, in September 1994, the RAF Sports Board granted permission for a seven month trial. The aim of the trial was to see to what extent RAF personnel would participate and whether or not there was a firm basis for recognition.

The trial was succesful, with membership growing to 180 personnel. The RAF Sports Board were again approached and recognition was given to the Federation. The inaugral AGM and training meeting was held in March 1996 with 40 attendees. Gp Cpt (later Air Cdre) Jon Chitty accepted the post as Chairman shortly thereafter. The RAF Martial Arts Federation commenced it's RAF and Inter-Services Championships with some success. By the time that the second AGM was held in 1997, membership had grown to some 340 people.

Now branded as the RAF Martial Arts Association (RAF MAA), we enjoy full recognition by the RAF Sports Board. Members are classed as "on duty" when attending RAF MAA sanctioned events and have access to central funds for the conduct of the sport and for travel expenses. They also have the use of MT, using authority codes granted annually which are published through the Treasurer. We compete at RAF and Inter-Service levels and have national and international title holders amongst our ranks.

The RAF MAA is constantly seeking new members. There is a real and pressing need to refresh our ranks of practitioners from whom we can put forward as competitors and squad members for the RAF and Inter-Service Championships. Joining is simple. It just requires your details to be entered on the RAF MAA Members Database either on-line or by contacting the Membership Representative listed on the Contacts page. The RAF MAA exists for all practitioners and we are constatntly looking for new opportunities across the complete gamut of the martial arts spectrum. We can only succeed with people's participation, so please come and join in and reap the benefits.