Amateur vs Professionalism Flashcards
What is an amateur?
A persona who plays sport for the love of it and receives no financial gain.
What is a professional?
A person who plays sport for financial gain.
What were the characteristics of a ‘gentleman amateur’?
- A respected member of society with a public school background; high status in sport reflected by high status in society.
- Belonging to the social elite, having wealth and plenty of free time for sport.
- Participation in sport was viewed as a character-building exercise; training was frowned upon.
- Playing ‘a range of sports’ using their natural talents.
- Playing to a high moral code.
Which key term comes from the Latin term, meaning ‘for the love’?
Amateur.
Who were amateurs in sport?
Those who played for the love, only the upper class as they could afford to play for fun.
Who were professionals in sport?
Those paid to play as their time off work had to be compensated.
Which type of performers trained to win?
Professionals.
What was the most important factor in playing for the professionals and for the amateurs?
Professionals = morals. Amateurs = winning.
Breakdown the meaning of ‘gentleman amateur’.
Gentleman = upper class. Amateur = plays for the love of it.
Characteristics of a gentleman amateur:
- Respected member of society
- High status in sport reflected by high societal status.
- Participation was character-building.
- Training was frowned upon.
- Playing to a high moral code.
- Public school background.
- Belonging to the social elite.
- Having wealth & time for sport.
- Playing a range of sports using natural talents.
- Self-officiated due to high moral codes.
Breakdown the meaning of ‘working-class professionals’.
Working-class = lower class professionals = played for financial gain.
What were the characteristics of a working-class professional?
- Poorest members of society
- Play for financial support
- Earning from sport was an avenue of social mobility.
- High rewards at stake and pressure to maintain success.
- Paid a wage for time off work when representing the factory teams.
- Paid on a success basis.
- Standards of performance increased as a result of dedicated training and determination to succeed.
How was receiving money for sport seen by the upper class?
It was seen as a BAD thing!
What was the relationship between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
The ‘gentleman amateurs’ respected the skills of the ‘working-class professionals’ but where looked down upon.
What is the difference in class between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
'working-class professionals' = upper. 'gentleman amateurs' = lower.
What is the difference in money received for playing between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
'working-class professionals' = their job. 'gentleman amateurs' = no money received.
What is the difference in free-time between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
'working-class professionals' = lots of time. 'gentleman amateurs' = little time.
What is the difference in training between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
'working-class professionals' = none. 'gentleman amateurs' = lots so they can win.
What is the difference in morality between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
'working-class professionals' = highly moral. 'gentleman amateurs' = immoral.
What is the difference in why they play between the ‘gentleman amateurs’ and the ‘working-class professionals’.
'working-class professionals' = love of the game. 'gentleman amateurs' = money.
Rugby is a type of sport where there is a clear division between amateurism and professionalism, what is this divide?
'working-class professionals' = Rugby League. 'gentleman amateurs' = Rugby Union.
Compare the sporting status of early 20th century amateurs with modern day amateurs.
early 20th century = higher.
modern day = lower.
Compare the control of early 20th century amateurs with modern day amateurs.
early 20th century = role models.
modern day = no control.
Compare the access of early 20th century amateurs with modern day amateurs.
early 20th century = money only.
modern day = open to all.
Compare the excellence of early 20th century amateurs with modern day amateurs.
early 20th century = top performers.
modern day = merit based.
What influence did the ‘gentleman amateurs’ have on modern-day sports?
- Fair play / sportsmanship.
- Shaking of hands prior and post contests.
- Olympics and the idea of amateurism excellence.
- Codes of conduct (“sir” to the referee in rugby)
Why has sport changed into a professional industry?
money.
What are the advantages of amateurism.
- No pressure
- Fun = focus
- Skill level is not an issue
- Part time involvement
What are the disadvantages of amateurism.
- Lower level coaches
- Less specialised facilities
- Must train and work full-time
What are the advantages of professionalism.
- Specialist coaches
- Specialist facilities
- Paid salary
- Made a solo job
What are the disadvantages of professionalism.
- Accountable to sponsors
- Pressure to succeed
- Less about fun
- Commitment
- Full-time involvement
