Sport and Society - amateur and professionalism Flashcards
what is meant by amateur?
a person who plays sport for the love of it and receives no financial gain
what is meant by the term professionalism?
a person who plays sport for the financial gain
what values were included in Amateurism in late 19th century?
manliness
appreciating the value of health and fitness
appreciating the value of rule-regulated activity
high moral integrity
what is meant by a ‘gentlemen’ amateur?
belonged to the social elite
participated in sport as a character-building exercise
played range of sports using their natural talent
played sort to a high moral code
was a respected member of society with public school background
what are the positive impact of amateurs?
held a higher status than professionalism in 19th century
code of amateurism was based on playing sport to clearly set rules
code of ethics
belonging to the social elite
participation in sport = more important than winning
all-rounder viewed with high regard
seen as ‘elite performers’
‘new middle class’ admired the cultural values of upper class gentlemen amateur
what happen to amateurs in the 20th century?
the amateur began to lose some of their status and power in society
how do amateurs still exists today?
amateurs tend to be of lower status than professionalism
some high-level performers are still not professional (e.g. gymnasts)
blurring of amateur and professional distinctions, with less likelihood of exclusions as society has become more egalitarian
performance at the top level in most sports is how open to all
some receive finance to pay for training expenses etc.
(e.g. National Lottery money)
what happen during the rise of professionalism?
-As sports (football) become more popular and working classes had increased time and wages, demand for spectator sports increased
-working classes had to make money from sport otherwise they had no opportunity to play
-training became specialised
-results and winning became more important
-foul play and gamesmanship used to gain advantages
-challengs to refereeing decisions became increasingly common
what are the positive impacts of professionalism?
-presented the working class with chance to earn more money whilst not at work
-broken time payment
-standards of performance increased as a result of dedicated training
-led of increased of commercialisation and media coverage of sport in late 20th century
-became an avenue of social mobility
what is modern day professionalism like?
-All classes can compete
-people are now respected for their talents and efforts in reaching the top
-high rewards for professionals through media and sponsorships
-more time to train
-celebrity
-positive role models act as motivators for other to achieve in sport
-lots of money invetsed into sports - sports became commercialised
-more spectators attend matches
