British Professional Trainers at Stockholm 1912 Massaging the Amateur Ethos
Dec 15, 2015
Contempt for specialisation Natural talent Coaching undermined elegance of style
Professionals underwent ‘joyless, mechanical training’
Amateurism and Coaching
British Trainers 1912Sport Name
Age 1901 1911
Athletics Alec Nelson 40 Laundry Manager Athletic Trainer
William Cross 50 Athletic Trainer
William J. Parrish 32 Commercial
ClerkManager
(Newspaper)
F.W.G. Thomas 38 Tailor’s Salesman Buyer Athletic Goods
Swimming Walter Brickett 46 Pianoforte Maker Swimming
Instructor
Clara Jarvis 28 At Home Swimming Teacher
Mrs. Holmes 53 No Occupation No Occupation
Cycling John Sykes 47 Gardener Cycle Repairer
H. Thomson ? ? ?
Football Adrian Birch 39 Football Trainer Football Trainer
Wrestling
William Hugo Klein 40 Music Hall Artist
British Trainers 1912Sport Name
Age 1901 1911
Athletics Alec Nelson 40 Laundry Manager Athletic Trainer
William Cross 50 Athletic Trainer
William J. Parrish 32 Commercial
ClerkManager
(Newspaper)
F.W.G. Thomas 38 Tailor’s Salesman Buyer Athletic Goods
Swimming Walter Brickett 46 Pianoforte Maker Swimming
Instructor
Clara Jarvis 28 At Home Swimming Teacher
Mrs. Holmes 53 No Occupation No Occupation
Cycling John Sykes 47 Gardener Cycle Repairer
H. Thomson ? ? ?
Football Adrian Birch 39 Football Trainer Football Trainer
Wrestling
William Hugo Klein 40 Music Hall Artist
Application of amateur ethos had different outcomes at different levels of sport
Sports historians have downplayed agency and concentrated on class interests Desborough and Perry
Life courses of those making living from sport can enhance understanding of amateurismTendency to view 1912 Games as turning point
in attitudes to coaching and training in Britain Resistance to American coaching
primarily about issue of control
Implications