IGCSE P.E. Ch. 10.7: Professional and Amateur Performers

Professional and Amateur Performers

Learning Objectives

• The traditional differences between being a professional and an amateur.

• Explain the increased blurring lines between professional and amateur status.

• The effect of both amateurs and professionals competing at the Olympic Games.

• Describe how sportsmanship and gamesmanship are displayed .

Poll

What are your learning goals?

• Level 1: I can identify the difference between Professional and Amateur performers and sportsmanship and gamesmanship.

• Level 2: I can describe the difference between Professional and Amateur performers and sportsmanship and gamesmanship.

• Level 3: I can describe the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship, and the advantages and disadvantages of professional and amateur performers when competing in the olympics.

Open Ended

Why do you play sport?

Open Ended

List THREE reasons why people play sport.

Open Ended

What is the difference between professional and amateur performers?

Love of Sport

Most people that take part in sport are amateur, as they do so for the enjoyment of performing and being in the social environment that sport can offer.

The History of Sport

Upper Class Vs Lower Class

Origins of Sport

The origins and rules of many modern sports can be traced back to British schools in the 1800's attended by members of the upper classes.

Amateur Status

In the early days, sport was all about competition and enjoyment.

To be classed as a professional was considered bad and dishonourable.

It was believed that the purest form of sport was amateur and should not be played with the intention of payment of reward.

Commercialisation of Sport

Over the years, commercialisation crept into sport through the involvement of sponsorship and media deals, and almost all top-level sport is now organised on a professional basis.

Origins of Professional Athletes

The origins of professional athletes came from the lower classes of societies. Individuals who had talent and were recruited with financial incentives to join and play for a team.

Origins of Professional Athletes

• In 1997, IAAF began to give out prize money to successful athletes at competitions.

• In 1885, professionalism was legalised in football in England.

• In 1895, Rugby was split into league and Union, with Union remaining amateur until 1995.

Open Ended

Why do you think some sports decided to accept professionalism?

Professionalism

The reason for accepting professionalism was the desire to improve levels of performance, alongside the increasing commercialisation of the sport.

Open Ended

How do you think amateur athletes managed to be amateur but follow a professional approach at the same time?

Amateur funding

• Sponsorships: Pay for expenses of athlete in return for endorsement.

• Trust Fund: Prize money is paid into a trust fund for the athlete to take expenses and save the rest for retirement.

• Scholarships: Universities offer places for talented athletes to study, train and represent the university.

• Token Jobs: The athlete is employed by a company but the work involved is nominal.

Open Ended

How do professional athletes make money?

Professional Funding

• Paid by club.

• Paid by their country

• Paid to participate in competitions.

• Sponsorship deals.

• Provided with gifts from sponsors or companies who want to be associated with the athlete.

Multiple Choice

Which definition is the definition of an Amateur performer?

• Engaging in a sports pursuit, on an unpaid basis.

• Performing a sports activity as one's main paid occupation, rather than a pastime.

Open Ended

List some differences between Professional and Amateur performers.

What the difference?

The next few slides will list some characteristics of both. You must select of the characteristic is that of a Professional or Amateur performer.

Multiple Choice

Sport is a leisure activity.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Performer can choose when and where to take part.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Plays for money.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Winning is the main aim, as they can receive more rewards and money when they win.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Sport is their job.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Training is done during their leisure time, fitted in around other commitments such as work and family.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Training and playing is their job. Performer must be in prime condition and ready to compete.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

Taking part is more important than the result.

• Professional

• Amateur

Multiple Choice

A performer must perform where and when they are told to (by clubs, managers, sponsors, etc)

• Professional

• Amateur

Amateur Vs Professional

• Sport is played for fun Vs Sport is their Job

• Taking part more important than result Vs Winning is the main aim

• Trains during spare time Vs Training and playing is their full-time job

• Choose where and when to play Vs They perform when and where they are told

Amateur Vs Professional

Despite the differences and the advantages that a professional athlete might have over an amateur, there are some competitions that allow for amateurs and professionals to compete together.

Multiple Select

Suggest three advantages that a professional athlete may have over an amateur athlete.

• Can train full time, so can have higher fitness and better skills.

• Has to work a job to cover training costs.

• Has access to high quality coaching, better equipment and training facilities.

• Have access to sport science to aid recovery from injury, assess diet and monitor progress.

• Not always able to attend training camps.

Multiple Select

Suggest three disadvantages of an amateur athlete when competing with a professional athlete.

• Has access to sport science and elite training facilities.

• Have greater experience of elite competitions.

• Unable to train full-time, so has limited skills and fitness.

• Might have other job, which causes them to be tired which can limit their progress in training.

• Not always able to play in international games due to work commitments.

Multiple Choice

Which definition is the definition of a Professional performer?

• Engaging in a sports pursuit, on an unpaid basis.

• Performing a sports activity as one's main paid occupation, rather than a pastime.

Sportsmanship Vs Gamesmanship

Open Ended

In your own words can you explain what sportsmanship is and give an example?

Sportsmanship

Upholding the the spirit of the game by being honest, playing by the rules and showing respect to your opponents.

Multiple Select

Suggest two which are an example of good sportsmanship

• Making a last minute substitution when your team is winning.

• Kicking the ball off the pitch to allow an opponent to get treated for an injury.

• Helping an opponent get to their feet if they have fallen.

• Trying to win a foul when opponent did not make contact with you.

Gamesmanship

Seeking to gain an advantage in any way you can that is not against the rules.

Multiple Select

Suggest three example of gamesmanship.

• Making a last minute substitution when your team is winning.

• Kicking the ball off the pitch to allow an opponent to get treated for an injury.

• Helping an opponent get to their feet if they have fallen.

• Trying to win a foul when opponent did not make contact with you.

• Rolling around on the floor pretending to be hurt.

Exam Questions

Open Ended

(a) Define what is meant by each of the following terms:

Sportsmanship

Gamesmanship

[2]

Open Ended

(b) Describe, in a named physical activity, one example of each of the following:

Sportsmanship

Gamesmanship

[2]

Open Ended

Some of the players who participated in the women's World Cup were amateurs.

Suggest two possible disadvantages for an amateur player when playing against professional players.

[2]

Open Ended

Describe the advantages that professional performers may have when competing against amateur performers at the Olympic Games.

[3]

Poll

Achieved learning goals.

• Level 1: I can identify the difference between Professional and Amateur performers and sportsmanship and gamesmanship.

• Level 2: I can describe the difference between Professional and Amateur performers and sportsmanship and gamesmanship.

• Level 3: I can describe the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship, and the advantages and disadvantages of professional and amateur performers when competing in the olympics.