I have just read a very interesting article in the latest Rugby Paper featuring an interview with the 

Head Coach of Hull Ionians Joe Makin. In it he expressed his wish for his club to become the leading

amateur club in Yorkshire, using the word amateur on three occasions.

Does this mean that Hull Ionians are considering going truly amateur and maybe ceasing to pay their 

players?

Yogi.

I think this depends on your definition of amateur to be honest. For example if expenses are paid at what point do you move from amateur to professional? 

When I played I was a true amateur. No one sensible would have paid for my services and I paid all my own expenses and bought my own kit. I doubt the same is true of the Hull Ionians senior players and quite rightly so if people are paying to watch them play.  

With respect, not when Joe Makin used the word amateur three times in a national newspaper. 

You miss the point entirely. 

If it's a 2nd job type fee then, yes, semi-pro.

A contract requires a quid pro quo, in Rugby presumably payment for playing, so the size of the fee is irrelevant, it's the fact you are getting any fee that tips you into the professional sphere.

The Semi part would come in under this dictionary definition "receiving payment for an activity but not  https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-honor&sca_esv=06eaa6fe2699486c&hl=en-GB&cs=0&sxsrf=ACQVn09jlA5iYUn0rwiS_6ltzaAJ3dTDgw:1707389969783&q=relying&si=AKbGX_r0zqXEeLlZhGfi3fbO0QSWgCDfCFvvMoLH2pQRkjHJZ1RD8yh1orFBcH3fzJLr2EfabGCz3FVH3H5zVM4Tq0dSUWu5sQ%3D%3D&expnd=1" rel="nofollow - relying  entirely on it for a living" 

👍 

Yes Ashley that was what I meant.

Quite correct Richard.

Over the years, Yogi's Club have repeatedly 'missed the point entirely' when it comes to paying players.

Joe also mentioned Hull Ionians 2ndXV, the Ramblers team, the Senior Womens team, the very successful Mini Junior Section and the army of Club volunteers.

Have you anything to say on those points?

Well it's been a while!

I am waiting with bated breath for the Lancashire contribution TB!! 

Let me pin my colours firmly to the mast. I am an I's supporter, I enjoy a bit fishing and pedantry. The weather has been poor today and there's nowt on the telly worth watching, so...

Anyone who found this fill-in article on page 47, read it ( more than once, I suspect) and found it very interesting must be a regular reader of the local HDM and BRM, or more than likely just wanted to cast aspersions against local rivals. 

The lad who wrote the article knew nothing about Joe, rang him at work, catching him somewhat on the hop. Naturally enough not every word would be considered. 

However, although the word amateur appears three times it is only once directly attributed to Joe. 

In answer to your question, Yogi. No.

Well said BP Youth. 

Years ago, a rugby club was a rugby club. We had no need to distinguish between the present day community clubs, who have various mens/womens senior teams, mini junior sections, volunteers, who give something back to the game and, those clubs who simply fund a 1stXV squad and live/exist off the back of players produced by the community clubs. 

Amateur clubs are run by volunteers and watched by supporters (and 1st XV pay subscriptions)