Change for the Pride Game (CEFR Compare)

May 13, 2026, 20:54

Change for the Pride Game

Introduction

The Sydney Swans changed their partner for the Pride Game. They will not play St Kilda. Now they will play the Western Bulldogs.

Main Body

A player from St Kilda, Lance Collard, used bad words about gay people. He did this two times. The league punished him and he could not play for some games. Another man, Will Houghton, said these bad words are normal in sports. The AFL did not like this. They fired him from his job. The Sydney Swans and St Kilda worked together for ten years. But the Swans stopped this now. They want the Pride Game to be a happy and safe place for everyone.

Conclusion

St Kilda is not the partner for the Pride Game. The event is now in the match against the Western Bulldogs.

Learning

⚡ The 'Action' Shift

Look at how the story moves from Who to What happened. This is the secret to A2 storytelling.

1. The 'Change' Pattern When something is different now, we use stopped or changed.

Old: Worked together for ten years.
New: Stopped this now.
Pattern: [Person] $\rightarrow$ [Action] $\rightarrow$ [Time]

2. Simple Past: The 'ed' Rule Most words in this story tell us about the past. Just add -ed to the end of the action word:

Change $\rightarrow$ Changed
Punish $\rightarrow$ Punished
Fire $\rightarrow$ Fired

3. The 'No-Go' Words Instead of saying "The person was prohibited," we use simple A2 phrases:

Could not play $\rightarrow$ (He was not allowed)
Did not like $\rightarrow$ (They were unhappy)

Quick Summary Table

Past Action	Meaning
Fired	Lost the job
Stopped	Ended it
Punished	Got in trouble

Vocabulary Learning

change (v.)

to make something different

Example:The team will change their partner for the Pride Game.

partner (n.)

a person or organization that works with another

Example:The Sydney Swans changed their partner for the Pride Game.

Pride (n.)

a celebration of LGBTQ+ community

Example:The Pride Game is a special event for the community.

game (n.)

a sport event

Example:They will play the Western Bulldogs in the game.

play (v.)

to participate in a sport

Example:They will not play St Kilda.

player (n.)

someone who plays a sport

Example:A player from St Kilda used bad words.

bad (adj.)

not good or offensive

Example:He used bad words about gay people.

words (n.)

spoken or written expressions

Example:He used bad words about gay people.

gay (adj.)

describing a homosexual person

Example:He used bad words about gay people.

people (n.)

human beings

Example:He used bad words about gay people.

league (n.)

an organized group of teams

Example:The league punished him.

punished (v.)

given a penalty or punishment

Example:The league punished him.

sports (n.)

physical activities for competition

Example:He said these bad words are normal in sports.

job (n.)

a paid position of work

Example:They fired him from his job.

happy (adj.)

feeling joy or content

Example:They want the Pride Game to be a happy place.

safe (adj.)

free from danger or harm

Example:They want the Pride Game to be a safe place.

place (n.)

a location or area

Example:They want the Pride Game to be a happy and safe place.

everyone (pron.)

all people

Example:They want the Pride Game to be a safe place for everyone.

event (n.)

a special occasion or gathering

Example:The event is now in the match against the Western Bulldogs.

match (n.)

a game between two teams

Example:The event is now in the match against the Western Bulldogs.

AFL Pride Game Participants Changed After Disciplinary Action Over Homophobic Language

Introduction

The Sydney Swans have decided to replace St Kilda as their opponent for the annual Pride Game, moving the event to a match against the Western Bulldogs.

Main Body

This change was caused by the disciplinary issues surrounding St Kilda player Lance Collard. Mr. Collard used homophobic slurs during a VFL game for the second time and was originally given a seven-match suspension. After an appeal, this penalty was reduced to a two-week suspension, with another two weeks suspended. Furthermore, the situation became more controversial when the AFL dismissed appeal board chair Will Houghton KC, who had claimed that such language is "commonplace" in the sport. Consequently, the Sydney Swans have ended their partnership with St Kilda for the 2026 Pride Game, a relationship that had lasted since 2016. The Swans' management emphasized that this shift was necessary to maintain the positive focus on the LGBTIQA+ community. Although St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena suggested that participating would have been a good opportunity for education and inclusion, the club accepted the decision due to the public reaction and the impact on LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities. As a result, the game has been moved from round 13 to round 17.

Conclusion

St Kilda will no longer be the partner for the Pride Game, and the event will now take place during the Sydney Swans' match against the Western Bulldogs.

Learning

The Logic of 'Cause and Effect' (Connecting Your Ideas)

At the A2 level, you likely use because or so for everything. To move toward B2, you need a 'toolbox' of connectors that signal a result without sounding like a beginner.

Look at these three power-words from the text:

Consequently $\rightarrow$ Used to show a direct result of a previous action.
- Text: "Consequently, the Sydney Swans have ended their partnership..."
- B2 Tip: Start your sentence with this word and follow it with a comma. It sounds professional and organized.
As a result $\rightarrow$ A stronger way to say 'so'.
- Text: "As a result, the game has been moved..."
- B2 Tip: Use this when one specific event triggers another specific change.
Due to $\rightarrow$ This replaces 'because of'.
- Text: "...the club accepted the decision due to the public reaction..."
- B2 Tip: Unlike 'because', due to is followed by a noun (a thing), not a full sentence.
  - ❌ Wrong: Due to it was raining...
  - ✅ Right: Due to the rain...

Quick Upgrade Table

A2 (Basic)	B2 (Bridge)	Why it's better
So...	Consequently...	It links paragraphs logically.
Because of...	Due to...	It is more concise and formal.
And then...	As a result...	It shows why something happened, not just when.

Vocabulary Learning

disciplinary

Relating to punishment or rules for misconduct

Example:The coach issued a disciplinary warning to the player who broke team rules.

suspension

A period of time when someone is not allowed to participate in an activity

Example:The player received a two‑week suspension for using inappropriate language.

appeal

A formal request to a higher authority to change a decision

Example:After the initial ruling, the team filed an appeal to reduce the penalty.

penalty

A punishment imposed for breaking a rule or law

Example:The penalty for the offense was a seven‑match ban.

controversial

Causing disagreement or debate among people

Example:The decision was controversial, sparking heated discussions on social media.

dismissed

Rejected or removed from consideration

Example:The board dismissed the chair's claim after reviewing the evidence.

claim

To state something as true, often without proof

Example:He claimed that the language was commonplace in the sport.

commonplace

Ordinary, everyday, or widely accepted

Example:The term is considered commonplace among fans of the game.

maintain

To keep or preserve something in its current state

Example:The club aims to maintain a positive focus on the community.

opportunity

A chance to do something or achieve a goal

Example:The event was seen as an opportunity for education and inclusion.

Modification of the AFL Pride Game Participants Following Disciplinary Proceedings Regarding Homophobic Language.

Introduction

The Sydney Swans have removed St Kilda as the designated opponent for the annual Pride Game, relocating the event to a match against the Western Bulldogs.

Main Body

The current administrative realignment is predicated upon the disciplinary trajectory of St Kilda player Lance Collard. Mr. Collard, having committed a second offense involving the utilization of homophobic slurs during a VFL engagement, was initially sanctioned with a seven-match suspension. Subsequent to an appeal, this penalty was mitigated to a two-week suspension with an additional two weeks suspended. The institutional volatility surrounding this case was exacerbated by the dismissal of appeal board chair Will Houghton KC, whose assertion that such language is 'commonplace' within the sport prompted his removal by the AFL. Consequently, the Sydney Swans have terminated the partnership with St Kilda for the 2026 Pride Game, a collaboration that had persisted since 2016. The Swans' administration articulated that this shift was necessary to preserve the intended positive impact and focus on the LGBTIQA+ community. While St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena indicated a preference for continued participation to facilitate education and inclusion, the club acknowledged the necessity of the decision given the public reaction and the perceived impact on LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities. The fixture has been rescheduled from round 13 to round 17.

Conclusion

St Kilda is no longer the partner for the Pride Game, and the event will now occur during the Sydney Swans' match against the Western Bulldogs.

Learning

The Architecture of Institutional Euphemism & Nominalization

To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing actions to conceptualizing them through high-level nominalization. The provided text is a masterclass in Administrative Distancing—the linguistic art of removing human agency to maintain a veneer of objectivity.

◈ The Pivot: From Verb to Concept

Observe the phrase: "The current administrative realignment is predicated upon..."

In a B2 context, one might say: "The league changed the plans because of..."

C2 Analysis:

"Administrative realignment": This is a nominal cluster. By turning the action (realigning) into a noun (realignment), the author transforms a disruptive event into a systemic process. It removes the 'doer' and focuses on the 'state'.
"Predicated upon": This replaces the basic causal link ("because of"). To predicate something upon another is to establish a formal logical basis. It shifts the tone from a reaction to a reasoned conclusion.

◈ Lexical Precision in Conflict

Note the use of "Institutional volatility".

Rather than stating "the situation became chaotic," the author employs volatility. In a C2 register, volatility implies not just change, but an unstable, unpredictable quality often associated with markets or chemistry. Applying this to a disciplinary board elevates the discourse to a sociopolitical analysis.

◈ The 'Mitigation' Spectrum

Consider the trajectory: Sanctioned $\rightarrow$ Mitigated $\rightarrow$ Exacerbated.

This triad represents the peak of formal reporting:

Sanctioned: Not just 'punished,' but officially penalized under a code of conduct.
Mitigated: A precise legal term meaning to make something less severe.
Exacerbated: To make a problem worse.

Pro Tip for C2 Mastery: Stop using adjectives like "bad" or "worse." Use verbs that describe the direction and nature of the change (e.g., attenuate, exacerbate, precipitate).

Vocabulary Learning

predicated (v.)

to base or rely on something as a foundation

Example:The policy was predicated on the assumption that all employees would comply.

trajectory (n.)

the path or course that something follows

Example:The athlete's trajectory toward the championship was clear.

utilization (n.)

the action of using something

Example:The utilization of renewable resources is increasing.

sanctioned (adj.)

officially approved or authorized

Example:The sanctions were sanctioned by the committee.

mitigated (v.)

to make less severe

Example:The penalty was mitigated after the appeal.

volatility (n.)

tendency to change rapidly and unpredictably

Example:Market volatility affects investors.

exacerbated (v.)

to make a problem or situation worse

Example:The dispute was exacerbated by rumors.

dismissal (n.)

the act of dismissing or rejecting

Example:His dismissal shocked the team.

assertion (n.)

a confident statement or claim

Example:Her assertion was backed by data.

articulated (v.)

to express clearly and coherently

Example:He articulated his concerns to the board.

preserve (v.)

to keep something intact or in its original state

Example:We need to preserve heritage sites for future generations.

facilitate (v.)

to make a process easier or smoother

Example:The guide facilitated the tour for the visitors.

acknowledged (v.)

to accept or admit the truth of something

Example:She acknowledged the mistake in her report.

necessity (n.)

the state of being essential or required

Example:The necessity of safety measures cannot be overstated.

perceived (adj.)

seen, understood, or interpreted by someone

Example:The perceived risk was high among investors.

rescheduled (v.)

to set a new date or time for an event

Example:The meeting was rescheduled to next Thursday.

collaboration (n.)

joint effort or partnership to achieve a goal

Example:Their collaboration produced groundbreaking research.

administrative (adj.)

relating to the organization and management of an institution

Example:Administrative tasks were completed before the audit.

participation (n.)

the act of taking part in an activity

Example:Participation in the workshop was mandatory.

inclusion (n.)

the act of including or being included

Example:Inclusion of all voices is essential for fairness.

terminating (v.)

to bring to an end or conclude

Example:The contract was terminating after the final clause was breached.