In Australia, sport centred on gambling and belonged to the working class society. The working class group already worked labour intensive jobs and played sport in their downtime with minimal equipment.

The middle and upper class men played for leisure and enjoyment rather than monetary gain. Sport was very much a sophisticated event played as a social activity. Amateur sports included rugby, cricket, tennis and golf. The Stawell Gift was the first sporting event that offered cash to the winner.

The learn to asks you to compare the nature of sport in the 19th century with sport in today’s society and to consider the question:

How have the meanings of amateur and professional sport changed?