The meaning of amateur and professional sport

• 19th century - amateur

  • participates just for the love of the game
  • sports such as athletics were controlled by amateurr sporting clubs and lower class could not join / participate
  • no athlete was allowed to accept prize money without risking their amateur status
  • sports such as cricket & rugby were considered to be the pastimes of the upper classes
• 19th century - professional

  • in 1895, the code of rugby league split from rugby union
  • rugby league became widespread and eventually developed into a professional sport. rugby union remained amateur until 1995
  • receive payments
  • needed the income
  • working class
  • labour intensive jobs
  • e.g. boxing, NRL
• now - amateur

  • no payments
  • not related to social class
  • up and coming athletes
  • community level sport
  • beginner, low skill level
• now - professional

  • elite level
  • full-time job
  • highly paid
  • salary based
  • includes endorsements
  • highly skilled