"Shamateurism"

"The meetings [at Victor Trumper's sports store in the CBD] discussed concerns with the NSWRU and Metropolitan RU administrations, including the decision to buy Epping Racecourse [now Harold Park]. While its crowd pulling players received no compensation for lost work time, the RU was intent on securing its own ground to take a bigger cut of the game's income. Payments by the RU to some players and not others was also high on the discussions.

"Shamateurism" was well in evidence in the years before League's arrival. Harry Hamill, a leading rugby player before he became a League pioneer with Newtown in 1908, wrote later: "The 'Shamateur' question was even then [in the early 1900s] a problem and it was a poor junior club that did not have one paid player." Hamill related the story of being chosen for NSW against England in 1904. He said he was advised by a club mate who "knew the ropes" about rep football to "put the acid" on the Union.

Hamill: "I was earning good sugar and I put it to the heads of the RU about lost time for the match against England. After a bit of argument they agreed to pay me 15 bob, but I had to render an account of my 'expenses' to balance the budget - you could get the best steak and oyster in the city then for a bob [one shilling]! Training at 4.00pm a couple of afternoons each week also produced seven shillings and sixpence each for lost time, but I was always told not to tell any of the others, for they might all want it!" - Sean Fagan / rl1908.com