In sport there are many conflicting definitions of an amateur. The M.C.C. has no written definition of an amateur, but merely an understanding that he should not make money out of the game. The M.C.C. permits the paid secretary of a club to play for it as an amateur. The Rugby Union, on the other hand, debars the paid employee of a club from playing for it. The Football Association steers a middle course. The paid manager or other official of a club may play for it as an amateur, if his remuneration as an official is not thereby affected.
The Amateur Rowing Association has perhaps the strictest definition of all. It "bars" the working man simply and solely because he works with his hands and is paid a weekly wage. No other sporting body goes so far in class distinctions as this.
Some sporting bodies permit a man to be a professional at one game and an amateur at another. Thus a professional cricketer may play as an amateur under Football Association rules. Other bodies, however, like the Amateur Rowing Association, declare that once a professional always a professional.—" Answers."