Young athletes compete in many combat sports under age-appropriate rules. If your child competes in official amateur events and wants a verified ranking, this guide explains what KBN needs from you and how it protects young athletes, following Article 17 of the KBN Executive Statute and the Safeguarding Policy.
Parental consent is mandatory
An application for an athlete under 18 must include the written consent of a parent or legal guardian, uploaded in the dedicated slot in the application wizard. Without it, the application cannot proceed beyond stage 1. The consenting adult becomes the point of contact for the application.
A good consent letter includes:
- The athlete's full name and date of birth.
- Your full name, relationship to the athlete and contact details.
- A clear statement that you consent to the athlete applying for the KBN World Ranking and to KBN processing their data for that purpose.
- Your signature and the date.
- A copy of your own identity document if requested.
What is published about a minor
| Shown publicly | Not shown publicly |
|---|---|
| Name | Portrait photo |
| Country | Age and date of birth |
| Division (discipline, category, gender, weight class) | Physical statistics |
| Results and rankings as sporting information | Club and coach |
| Contact details, address, identity documents |
Licences and certificates are issued normally, and the verify page works as for any athlete, without personal details.
Safeguarding & minors policy →
Competition safety
Minors compete only in age-appropriate categories under the technical rules of the discipline, with medical supervision and, where national law requires, extra protective equipment. Branch heads of refereeing are responsible for compliance at sanctioned events. Ask the organiser in advance:
- Which age category and ruleset apply?
- What protective equipment is required?
- Who is the event doctor?
- Who is the safeguarding lead on the day?
Weight management for young athletes
Young athletes are still growing. Rapid weight loss is particularly risky for them. Children should compete at their natural weight; if a coach suggests cutting weight, talk to a doctor first. Any gym that pressures a child to dehydrate to make weight is a warning sign.
Choosing a club
Ask about coaches' safeguarding checks, the club's welfare officer, how sparring is supervised and whether parents can watch training. A good club is happy to answer.
How to choose a martial arts gym →
Raising a concern
Anyone with a safeguarding concern can write to holdingkbn@gmail.com marked "Safeguarding". Reports are handled by the Women's and Youth Committee under the Statute and, where required, referred to the competent authorities. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services first.
KBN Social is 18+
KBN Social, the members' network, is for adults only. Under-18s cannot create a Social account, and members can report accounts they believe belong to someone under 18.
A step-by-step for parents
- Read the safeguarding and privacy pages with your child.
- Collect the documents: identity document, portrait, bout evidence and your signed consent letter.
- Create the fighter account together; the wizard asks for the consent upload.
- Keep your contact details on the application so the branch can reach you.
- Stay involved through stages 1 to 6; you are the point of contact.
When the athlete turns 18
Adult athletes manage their own accounts. Review the profile together when your child turns 18, and update contact details so notifications reach the athlete directly.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| A minor's full profile is public like an adult's | Only name, country and division are shown |
| A coach can sign the consent | Only a parent or legal guardian can |
| Young athletes should cut weight like adults | Children should compete at their natural weight |
| Minors can join KBN Social with permission | KBN Social is 18+ only |
Documents checklist for a minor
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Athlete's identity document | Passport or national ID |
| Portrait photo | Used on documents; not published publicly for minors |
| Bout evidence | Result sheets, links, contacts |
| Parental consent letter | Signed and dated by a parent or legal guardian |
| Medical clearance | As required by events and KBN |
Frequently asked questions
QCan a coach give consent instead of a parent?
No. Consent must come from a parent or legal guardian.
QWill my child's photo appear on the website?
No. Portraits of athletes under 18 are not published on public profiles.
QAre young athletes ranked against adults?
Tables are organised by discipline, category, gender and weight class. Minors compete in age-appropriate categories under the event rules; ask the branch how junior results are handled in your discipline.
QWhat happens to the profile when my child turns 18?
The limits in Statute Art. 17 apply while the athlete is under 18. Contact KBN if you want to review what is published once they reach adulthood.
Figures in this article are computed from the KBN register at the time of reading. View, like and share counters on this demo site are sample values.