Amateurism and Professionalism

Question 1

Define amateurism

Answer 1

Playing sport for the love of the sport, has intrinsic value

Question 2

Define professionalism

Answer 2

Playing sport for financial gain

Question 3

Describe amaturism and profesionalism in pre-industrial Britain

Answer 3

• All sport was amatuer, had intrinsic value
• No professionalism
• Upper class were “gentleman amateurs” - had time and money
• Public schools
  ~ promoted amatuerism
  ~ cult of athletisism
  ~ muscular christianity

Question 4

Describe amateurism and professionalism in post 1850 industrial Britain

Answer 4

• Lower class professionals
  ~ upper class patrons
  ~ broken time payments
• Amateurism now dominated by middle class
• Amateurs and professionals competed together in some sports e.g. cricket
• Professionalism was an opportunity for social mobility
• The standard of sport increased due to professionalism
• Disagreement
  ~ Establishment/ upper class wanted sport to stay amateur (values)
  ~ Working class professionals wanted more profesionalism
  ~ e.g. rugby union/ rugby league split

Question 5

Describe amateurism and professionalism in the 21st century

Answer 5

• Clearly defined professionalism -> concept of professionalism
• Defined by financial reward