semi-professional athlete
A semi-professional athlete is someone who competes in sports at a level that is higher than amateur but not quite at the professional level. These athletes often participate in organized leagues or competitions and may receive some form of compensation, such as stipends or sponsorships, but they typically do not earn a full-time income from their sport.
Semi-professional athletes often balance their sports commitments with other jobs or education. They may train rigorously and compete regularly, but their primary source of income usually comes from non-sport-related work. Examples of semi-professional sports include soccer, basketball, and rugby.