Brad, founder of Kinetix Academy, runs a not-for-profit organisation in Essex that uses activity and mentorship to support young people, particularly those navigating difficult transitions or facing disadvantage.
Kinetix offers a unique blend of parkour, free running, acrobatics, and circus skills, alongside mentorship and access to qualifications. Their focus is on helping young people at pivotal moments in life: moving from primary to secondary school, entering college, or stepping into the workplace. Many of their participants are anxious school-refusers, care-experienced young people, or have been involved in crime or at risk of exclusion. “We’re not just teaching physical skills,” Brad explains. “We’re giving young people a safe place to be, structure, and support. For some, it’s the only place they feel seen and understood.”
As the organisation grew, so did their operational needs. With a 7,000-square-foot venue, a growing staff team, and increasingly complex programming, Brad needed comprehensive insurance: public liability, professional indemnity, employers’ liability, and directors’ liability cover. “We’d always bought our insurance through Parkour UK, our governing body,” says Brad. “But in December 2022, just three weeks before renewal, they announced they were no longer able to provide the insurance. Every parkour gym in the country was left to figure it out on their own.” That sudden shift sent shockwaves through the community. “The market didn’t know what to do with us. Some insurers considered us to be an indoor sport. Others put us in the same risk category as base jumping. Prices went through the roof; some gyms went from paying £700 a year to £6,000.”
The team eventually found a provider and settled into a routine, but in early 2024, their insurer was no longer able to offer cover for parkour. They had 14 days to find replacement cover. “We were back to square one, with barely any time to fix it,” Brad says. “And I’m not an insurance expert; I’m a sports coach. That’s when someone mentioned BIBA’s Find Insurance Service.”
Through a referral from a previous broker, Brad got in touch with BIBA’s Find Insurance Service. “The response was immediate. Someone called me back within the hour, and they really listened, asked the right questions, found out what we needed, and went off to speak to specialist brokers on our behalf. It saved me days of work. And it was completely free.”
Brad says the experience was transformative: “I wish I’d known about the service in 2022, it could’ve saved us and others so much time, money, and stress. Even though we didn’t buy through BIBA this time, they took a huge weight off my shoulders when it really mattered.”
Kinetics is also expanding into new areas, offering skills training and community-based outreach for those leaving education or at risk of disengagement. “We’re branching into employability support, qualifications, and community referrals now. We’re working with young people in incredibly tough situations—many who’ve experienced trauma, mental health issues, or poverty. That kind of work needs protection. We can’t afford to be without the right insurance.”
Brad now actively recommends BIBA’s Find Insurance Service to others in the sport and youth sector. “In a niche space like this, you need someone who understands the risks and isn’t just ticking boxes. BIBA gave us that. I’ll definitely be calling them ahead of our next renewal.”
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