The BOA is an organisation based on individual members rather than on clubs. It is managed by a committee elected from the membership. It provides competition at national level and the opportunity to play internationally. It also provides coaching and refereeing courses for its members. In July 2013 the BOA entered in an affiliation agreement with the
British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) in order to improve its recognition as a
national governing body (NGB) and to access a range of services including checking services required by
child protection legislation. ==Origins==