AMATEURISM AND PROFESSIONALISM Flashcards
What is an amateur?
a person who plays the sport for the love of it and receives no financial gain
What is a professional?
a person who plays sport for financial gain
What was the amateur code- amateurism values?
- manliness, robustness, striving and physical endeavour
- appreciating the value of health and fitness
- appreciating the value of rule-regulated activity
- high moral integrity
What were the characteristics of a gentleman amateur?
- being a respected member of society with a public school background; high status in sport reflected by high status in society
- member of 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 as this would constitute professionalism
- playing a range of sport using their natural talents
- playing a sport to high moral code
What were the positive impacts of amateurism?
elite sport was run by and dominated by the upper and middle classes who had high status in sport as well as in society- amateurs held a higher status than professionals
- the code of amateurism was based on playing sport to clearly set rules which were put into place by the middle and upper classes that formed many NGBs
- amateurism adhered to a code of ethics, playing sport to a high set of moral values
- belonging to the social elite i.e. having wealth and plenty of free time for sport, meant they could play sport for the love of it rather than for monetary gain
- participation in sport was seen as more important than winning and taking part was viewed as a character-building exercise. they played according to their God given abilities and training was frowned upon as this would constitute professionalism
- the all rounder was viewed with high regard by the amateurs
- amateurs were the elite performers of the 19th century
- the new middle classes admired the cultural values of the upper-class gentleman amateur
What were the features of the working-class professional?
- Sports such as football grew in popularity as working classes had increased time (Saturday half days) and wages
- The working classes had low status and were the poorest members of society who had to make money from sport or they could not afford to play
- the working-class professional came from a poor background and was perceived to be corruptible as he was controlled by money
- Winning became the most important thing and gamesmanship emerged (bending rules)
- Challenges to refereeing decisions was common
Compare the key features of the gentleman amateur with the working-class professional
Gentleman amateur
- upper class/ middle class
- wealthy
- lots of free time
- no desire to train to improve performance
- high morality- emphasis on taking part/fair play/sportsmanship
Working-class professional
- working class
- poor
- very little free time due to long working hours
- committed to train and perform as well as possible
What were the positive impacts of professionalism on sport development?
- Professionalism meant that the working class could participate in sport due to broken time payments
- Early professionals in walking and running received payment according to results, which meant standards went up.
- Professionalism developed at the end of the 19th century coinciding with commercialism and media coverage.
- Earning money from sport was seen as an avenue for social mobility. This created a determination to succeed and escape from working class beginnings.
What were the key features of the early 20th century amateurs?
- high status: they held high status in sport and society
- controllers of sport: the middle and upper class controlled sport, excluding working classes from amateur sports
- top performers: it was more likely that the top performers would come from middle or upper classes
- highly moral: they had sufficient income and leisure time to play sport for the love of it, receiving no payment. they emphasised fair play and sportsmanship
What was the changing status of amateurs in the 20th century- key features of modern day amateurs?
- Society slowly began to be based more on equality of opportunity with achievements based on merit rather than social background
- Modern day amateurs now tend to be of lower status
- Some high level performers are still not professional (e.g. gymnasts)
- Blurring of old amateur and professional distinctions, with less likelihood of exclusions as society has become more egalitarian (equal)
- Performance at the top level in most sports is open to all
- Some amateurs receive finance to pay for training and expenses (e.g. Sports Aid/ Lottery funding).
Suggest how the modern-day amateur differs from the amateur of the early 20th century (1900-1920)
Early 20th C (Sub max 3 per section):
- Amateur had high status in sport / society
- Amateurs in most sports were best players
- Although professionals could out perform in some sports
- Amateurs were controllers of sport / selected teams / formed NGB’s
- Member of middle / upper classes / gentleman amateur
- Had sufficient income / leisure time for support playing of sport
- Avoided playing against working classes
- Working classes excluded from amateur sports / not ‘open’ competitions
What are the positives of modern-day amateurism?
- Codes of amateurism are still evident in British sport e.g. sportsmanship and fair play.
- it is still viewed positively and promoted positively in sport e.g. fair play awards in football, shaking hands after a match, through Olympic ideals based on amateurism.
- sports like Rugby Union maintained their amateurism until late into the 20th century and still have codes of conduct based on such principles e.g. call referees ‘Sir’
What were the factors that led to the growth of modern-day professionals?
- All classes can compete, social class is no longer a barrier to success
- People are respected for their talents and efforts in reaching the top
- There are high rewards for professionals through media and sponsorship
- Professionals have more time to train, which raises standards of performance
- Celebrity status, media coverage and investment in sport have all led to increased financial rewards in sport. many professionals are very wealthy and are able to afford big houses, expensive cars etc. such materialism is highly valued by many in modern-day society
- money invested into sport enables events and the sports themselves to operate and survive commercially. there has been a general increase in commercial sport and the sponsorship of sport
Describe the factors that were responsible for the change in the status of professional performers from the early 20th century to modern day
- Social prejudice against professional has now disappeared / all classes can compete
- People now respected for their talents / abilities
- Rewards for professionals now very large / media interest / sponsorship
- Encourages more to take up professional sport
- Professionals have money / resources/time to put into training
- Laws exist to prevent discrimination
The nature of elite sport has altered dramatically since the 19th century. Describe the factors that have led to an increase in the status of professional sports performers.
-High standards of performance / excitement
Higher media coverage / profile of athletes / role models / celebrity status
-Professionals used to be working class / low status
-Social class no longer such a barrier to participation
-Society’s attitude / value materialistic rewards / higher earners / sponsorship deals
-Lombardian ethic more dominant than the amateur ideal
-Seen as a ‘way out’ / upward social mobility
