Overview of U.M.A.R.A.

U.M.A.R.A Headquarters
41 Georgetown Road
Bordentown, NJ 08505

What is U.M.A.R.A.?

U.M.A.R.A. stands for the United Martial Arts Referees Association. U.M.A.R.A. is a non profit organization with management vested in a Board of Directors. These Directors are grouped in a Regional Configuration consisting of Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. Each director has jurisdiction over his region with responsibilities of keeping his region members informed of U.M.A.R.A. sanctioned tournaments, clinics and other U.M.A.R.A. business. All directors must hold the rank of at least 1st degree Black Belt or its equivalent. The U.M.A.R.A. organization, in existence since October 1977, is becoming increasingly more visible due to the success of its tournament Sanctioning Service and the unique fact that many of its members are among the top competitors and instructors in the Tri-state region.

What is the Purpose of U.M.A.R.A.?

To stimulate interest in the Martial Arts among Martial Artists and the general public as an art and sport.
To foster and maintain competition and tournaments among its members on a high level of true amateurism, sportsmanship and friendly relations, and to provide rules and procedures governing such events.
To unify and coordinate Martial Arts activities by combined efforts under one group.
To incorporate and promulgate the true historical Chinese, Okinawan, Japanese, Korean and other Martial Arts forms and techniques.
To establish and maintain relations with affiliated schools and other authentic organizations.
To endeavor to improve the physical and mental competence of its adherents by supporting and sponsoring open competition among all practitioners of the art.
To impress those who follow the Martial Art to forget personnel glory and animosity by cooperating and coordinating all styles for the betterment of the art.

What Does U.M.A.R.A. Do?

U.M.A.R.A.'s primary function is to provide quality officiating at U.M.A.R.A. and U.M.A.R.A. sanctioned tournaments. To accomplish this the Association sponsors clinics so that its members and prospective members can learn and maintain their skills as referees, and to instruct others in the fine points of officiating.

Members and instructors from all the major Martial Arts styles and disciplines assists members on what to look for while judging kata, in regard to correct execution of technique, what is a recognizable point, what is excessive contact, and other fine points necessary to assure uniform officiating and fairness.

In addition, U.M.A.R.A. provides, upon request, tournaments directors with tournament counseling so that they may be abreast with the latest developments in the fast-changing tournament scene.

Requirements for Membership

The requirements for membership to U.M.A.R.A. are as follows:

The prospective member must hold the rank of Red/Brown or Black Belt or their equivalent.
The applicant must be of high ethical character.
The applicant must be willing to endeavor to assist in the expansion, development and enrichment of the U.M.A.R.A. and the Martial Arts.
Applicants agree to abide by the rules governing U.M.A.R.A. and will strive to reflect on the U.M.A.R.A. and its members in a professional manner.
Applicants must be able to attend all meetings, tournaments, seminars and events. Participation is a requirement for membership.

Updated 11/29/2019

U.M.A.R.A Headquarters, 41 Georgetown Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505

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