THE AMATEUR IN SPORT.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 2, 26 March 1920, Page 13

THE AMATEUR IN SPORT.

SEEKING A DEFINITION. CONTROLLIN G BODIES , CONFER, A meeting of delegates from the governing sports organisations was held reeently for the purpose of discussing ways and means of adopting a general definition of tho amateur status. Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C.," presided. There were also present : Messrs A. A. Marryatt (NewZealand Amatiur Athletic Associations), G. W. Slade (New Zealand Rugby Union), B. A. Guise (New Zealand Boxing Association), W. S. Brice (Rugby League), M. J. Crombie (New Zealand, Cricket Council), A. R. Cclanders (New Zealand Golf Association), A. D. Bayfield (New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association), and G. S. Hill (New Zealand Airateur Swiirrming Association.) Mr Skerrett said the confexence was the outcome of the last annual meeting of the Sports' Protection League, when the opinion was expressed that in the period of reconstruction something should be done to try to define the amateur status. The present conference would have no legislative powers and would be purely consultative. The delegates, liowever, could refer to the bodies that they rex^resented the decisions arrived at. It was not clear that the conditions in New Zealand differed greatly from those in Eugland. In New Zealand certainiy there were no large sections of the sporting community who received , emoluments from sport, but in England many persons derived a substantial part of their income from playing games. The meet-* ing could consider the possibility of the acceptance of a general definition and wkether the definition should be restricted or enlarged so as to include horse racing and possibly aviation. Delegates might also consider wliether it would be possible to come to a reciprocal arrangement between various sports organisations and they could discuss the relationship of New Zealand with the governing bodies abroad. I* was pointed out to the meeting that acccrding to, the rule adopted by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association an amateur was one who had never cc-ni peted for a money prize or stake, nor a declared wager, and one who had not knowingly and without protest competed with or against a professional for a prize of any description, or who had never taught or assisted in the praetice of any athletic sports as a means of liveihood or gain. The definition meant, said Mr Skerrett, that if a man was a professional in any class of sport he was deprived of his amateur status in any other sport. After discussion the meeting expressed iis opinion by resolution that it was impossible to recQinmend a definition under which all sports bodies could be governed, but that it was possible to frame a definition which would gain the support oc a substantial section of sports organisations. Messrs Skerrett, Maryatt and Bayfield were appointed a sub-committee to draft a definition which might be aeceptabl; to a considerable section of sports bodies, and were instructed to refer their report to the various arganisations concerned for consideration.