Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-09
PROFESSIONALISM AND SPORT.
The "PrOmateur'' as an InsidiOus Ene-
my of Amateur Sport.

The "Promateur" as an InsidiOus Enc
my of Amateur Sport.
From the Fortnightly Review.
A hidden enemy, which turks unseen, but
whose presence is felt often where least ex-
pected, whose influence does more to in
jure the social enjoyment of the games
than the unfortunate drawbacks already
alluded to is the sham-amateur, and those
who conspire with him. No more contempt
1bie creature can be imagined than he who,
while posing as an amateur, is in reality a
professional. He brings his innocent play
mate under suspicion, he causes distrust
and uneasiness among fellow members. and
he lowers the respect in which amateurs
have hitherto been held by professionals.
Hardly any popular game is free from
the sham-amateur. So numerous have they
become that it is almost necessary to divide
the players into three classes, viz, ANA
teurs, professionals and ''promateurs," as
they have been APPLY termed. There are
all sorts and conditions of ''promateurs,' -
and. sad to relate, they exist in several
social strata. They are not confined to the
artisan class, so that the general accept
teur would not eradicate them. Their meth
OBS are as subtle as those of the heather
Chinee, and their innocence almost as
'childlile and bland"
FIRST comes the cricket "promateur," who
receives for expenses a lump sum, far in
excess of his outlay, and who, without any
visible means of subsistence, lives in good
style, and is not short of pocket money
snail be said of the cricketer who is found
employment by some enthusiastic sup
porter OF the game, on the condition that he
plays for a certain county, or club. when
required, and who receives a liberal salary
even though he is not at the office for
weeks at a stretch? Is he bona fide anna
teur? Does his inclusion in a county team
elevate the social position of the amateurs
NJ Vraty tot
them by the professionals? Besides these
there are others who are set up in busi-
ness on similar conditions; and, last, but
not least, those great offenders against
Australian cricketers, who, after the pay
ment OF all their expenses, divide 4 certain
proportion of the profits of their tours be-
tween them Such liberation must soon
cease or bona fide amateurs will be fewer
In frst-class cricket than they now are
for their number is rapidly diminishing.
II was thought that the recognition of
Professionalism would exterminate ''proma-
tours IN connection with foot ball, but re-
cent eveats have proved the contrary A
PROFESSIONAL team costs a lot OF money
ana some ciubs. having INSCRIPTIONS Off
clais. nave found 1t better secretly to re-
munerate some of their players
In athletics and cycling there are a1so
proniateurs, some of whom are actually
PAD 70 attend certain meetings while Others
are INDUCED TO do so by the offer of PRICES
's.iueS SucH prizes DelnS GER
tam TO go to the "promateur," VINO prompt
~ turns them into cash. Others run under
OF OF bookmakers, and, although rare
ni.nlns prizes, realize considerable sums
by losing or winning their heats. accor,lips,
to the state of their confederate's betting
oook. Even the innocent game of lawn
tennis Is not quite free from faint AS a
rule, rowing may. be said to be free IF
promateurs," and all lovers Of Snort will
nope that before the end of 1900 the same
may be said Of every other British pasrime.