Corporation Pop puts poetry in motion for Streetspeak
Corporation Pop has created a 'Poem Builder' game as part of its new website for Streetspeak, which works to improve the literacy skills of young people through poetry and football.
The site launches today - National Poetry Day - and the game enables visitors to compose poetry using an 11 or five-a-side football team.
Words represent each player and the aim is to compose a poem including five or 11 randomly generated football related words from a database of over 800.
Players can customise their character using a selection of hairstyles, facial features and football kits, representing themselves or their favourite player.
The new website also features an image, poem and video gallery, teaching resources and an Ask a Poet area where visitors can interact directly with poets.
Dom Raban, managing director of Corporation Pop, said: "The aim of the website is to get young people involved in writing poetry, so we developed a game to make it more appealing and fun.
"Fundamentally Poem Builder is a learning tool, offering an easy level for younger members and a harder option for older kids.
"Football is the focus of the site's design and style, the copy has been crafted by a writer who specialises in reaching young people and you can even keep up-to-date with the latest football results as it has a semi-live newsfeed from the BBC."
Funded by the Football Foundation, Arts Council and National Football Museum, Streetspeak is a three-year initiative that harnesses youngsters' interest in football to engage them in writing poetry.
Lesley Parkinson, project co-ordinator for Streetspeak, said: "The style and tone is spot-on and we're sure the Poem Builder will capture the imagination of our audience, promoting engagement with the site."
Corporation Pop won the tender for the contract in July.