Birmingham Phoenix partners with Poet Laureate on bespoke piece

Birmingham Phoenix has partnered with Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden to create a powerful bespoke spoken-word piece celebrating Birmingham’s identity and the deep connection between the city and its The Hundred franchise.

2026-07-29T16:15+01:00

The commissioned poem, Welcome Home, has been both written and filmed by Aden and will feature as part of Birmingham Phoenix’s storytelling and fan engagement activity for the 2026 competition.

Through vivid imagery and references to Birmingham’s rich history, diverse communities and iconic sporting moments, the poem captures the spirit of a city built on resilience and innovation. It also reflects the pride that Birmingham Phoenix represents on and off the field, bringing together supporters from across the region under the banner of Your Turf, Your Team.

The piece highlights Birmingham’s cultural and sporting significance, from its status as a city of a hundred thousand welcomes to memorable moments at Edgbaston, including Brian Lara’s record-breaking 501 not out and Will Smeed becoming the first player to score a century in The Hundred.

Ayan Aden, Birmingham Poet Laureate, said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Birmingham Phoenix on this project and I greatly appreciated the creative trust, thoughtful feedback and space I was given to develop the piece.

“I loved exploring the relationship between Birmingham, Edgbaston and the Phoenix through the poem, and creating something that celebrates the city’s identity, sporting history and sense of belonging.”

The poem centres on the theme of homecoming, describing Birmingham as a city where history has always found its way home and celebrating the communities, landmarks and values that define the region. It concludes with a message of optimism and togetherness, reflecting the ambition and spirit of both the city and Birmingham Phoenix.