Latest news with #Flower
India Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
After guiding RCB to IPL crown, coach Andy Flower finds spirituality in Rishikesh
After guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden IPL title, coach Andy Flower paid a visit to Rishikesh to meet spiritual guru Swami Chidanand Saraswati at Paramarth Niketan Ashram. The meeting between the RCB coach and the spiritual guru took place on International Yoga Day on Saturday, June 21. Flower's tactical prowess was on full show during the IPL as RCB won all their away games en route to breaking their jinx and beating PBKS in the final to win the title. Flower said, as quoted by TOI, that he was talking with Swami about teams and how the tendency is always to win trophies. advertisementThe RCB coach said that from his experience as a player and a tactician, winning is not quite enough. He feels that there has to be something more meaningful than just winning as it can be a little hollow occasionally. "I was talking with the Swami about teams, actually. And the tendency for us as a sporting organisation is to grab at that trophy that you want to win. And everything's about winning.""But from my experience in playing and coaching, winning is not quite enough. There has to be something more, something deeper, something more meaningful than just winning. Because winning is a little hollow occasionally," said Flower. #WATCH | Uttarakhand: Former Zimbabwean cricket captain and RCB coach, Andy Flower meets Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president and spiritual head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, in Rishikesh ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2025advertisementFlower on International Yoga DayFlower also talked about International Yoga Day and said he has been a learning a lot about Yoga over the past two weeks since he has been in Rishikesh. The RCB coach said that he has enjoyed practising yoga over the past few weeks. "It has been brilliant being in Rishikesh on International Yoga Day. I have been in Rishikesh for the last two weeks. I have been learning a lot about Yoga, and the main thing I have learnt is that Yoga is not about a one-hour class, but it is a way of life for hundreds of millions of people. I have enjoyed the physical practices that I have done," said Flower. Must Watch
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Winning is a little hollow occasionally': RCB head coach Andy Flower visits spiritual guru in Rishikesh
Andy Flower (PTI Photo) Andy Flower , the former Zimbabwe cricketer and current Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach, recently met with spiritual guru Swami Chidanand Saraswati at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh . The meeting took place during International Yoga Day , following RCB's first-ever Indian Premier League championship under Flower's coaching. "I was talking with the Swami about teams, actually. And the tendency for us as a sporting organisation is to grab at that trophy that you want to win. And everything's about winning." Watch: "But from my experience in playing and coaching, winning is not quite enough. There has to be something more, something deeper, something more meaningful than just winning. Because winning is a little hollow occasionally." Poll Do you think winning is the most important aspect of sports? Yes, it's everything. No, there are deeper values. "It is a bit of an anti-climax sometimes after you have won. So, there has to be something more. And we were talking about the influence you can have on other people and groups of people." India lose momentum on Day 2 | England Fight Back at Headingley "But you have to take care of yourself first. You have to be in a good place yourself first to have that good influence on other people." During his visit to Rishikesh, Flower shared his experiences about International Yoga Day. "It has been brilliant being in Rishikesh on International Yoga Day. I have been in Rishikesh for the last two weeks. I have been learning a lot about Yoga, and the main thing I have learnt is that Yoga is not about a one-hour class, but it is a way of life for hundreds of millions of people. I have enjoyed the physical practices that I have done..." Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
News18
22-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
RCB Coach Andy Flower Doing Yoga In Rishikesh: 'I Was Ignorant About It'
Last Updated: RCB head coach Andy Flower was spotted doing Yoga in Rishikesh. He said it has 'helped my soul' and that he has realised how 'ignorant' he was about it. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s IPL 2025 title-winning coach, Andy Flower, was spotted doing Yoga on the International Yoga Day in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The former Zimbabwe star revealed that he had been in the city for the past two weeks and found out how 'ignorant' he had previously been about Yoga. The International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 to promote the ancient Indian practice that encourages holistic well-being. Flower said it was just a coincidence he was in Rishikesh, which is popular for its Yoga ecosystem while also being a usual destination of foreign tourists, on the same day. Appointed to the job last year, Flower became the first coach to lead RCB to a title win in the IPL. His pragmatic methods and experience are said to have played a huge role in the side's cultural turnaround. Currently, the franchise is embroiled in judicial cases over the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, during their title celebrations that took the lives of 11 people. About the Author Cricketnext Staff First Published: June 22, 2025, 09:28 IST
South Wales Argus
16-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Wales bring in Ben Flower to help add steel for World Cup
The 37-year-old from Abertridwr will be part of Sean Lynn's set-up for the summer training campa ahead of a two-Test tour to Australia and then the World Cup. Flower has been appointed as collision coach and has an impressive CV in that department. He played for the Dragons academy and represented Wales at under-20, 18 and 16 level alongside the likes of Dan Lydiate, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies but then changed code after an attempt to covert him from back row forward to hooker. Flower played for the Celtic Crusaders and then the prop became a key figure for Wigan when winning three Super League titles, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup, while he also won 17 caps. After hanging up his boots, he coached the South Wales Jets rugby league side and was part of the Wales Women's coaching team at the last World Cup in New Zealand. Flower said: 'Being involved with Wales is always a privilege and being asked and to have the chance of being involved with my country is an honour you don't turn down. 'Having played at a World Cup as a player and to have this chance to play a role as Wales prepare for a World Cup is an opportunity I am looking forward to.' Lynn, who is yet to enjoy a victory as national boss, believes Flower will add steel to a side whose fitness he questioned during a miserable Six Nations. He said: 'The W6N review highlighted the need to improve our collision work and dominance, both sides of the ball, as a real area we can improve on.'
Wales Online
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as rugby league star joins Wales coaching team and powerhouse tipped for breakthrough
Tonight's rugby news as rugby league star joins Wales coaching team and powerhouse tipped for breakthrough The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Ben Flower has joined the Wales Women's coaching team (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) These are your evening rugby headlines on Monday, June 16. Rugby league star joins Wales coaching staff Former Welsh rugby league star Ben Flower has been appointed to the Wales Women's coaching team for their summer training camp. The 37-year-old - who was also part of the coaching staff for the last Women's Rugby Word Cup in New Zealand - joins Sean Lynn's team as collision coach and will play a key role as the squad prepare for a two-Test match tour to Australia and their 2025 World Cup campaign in England later this summer. Cardiff-born Flower represented the Welsh-based Crusaders as well as Super League sides Wigan Warriors and Leigh Centurions during a glittering career that saw him win the Challenge Cup, three Super League titles and the World Club challenge with Wigan. On the international stage, he won 17 caps for the Wales rugby league side. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Having moved into coaching, Flower has taken charge of the South Wales Jets rugby league side as well as working with Wales Women four years ago. Upon returning to the coaching staff for a busy summer of rugby, he said: "Being involved with Wales is always a privilege and being asked and to have the chance of being involved with my country is an honour you don't turn down. Article continues below 'Having played at a World Cup as a player and to have this chance to play a role as Wales prepare for a World Cup is an opportunity I am looking forward to.' Wales are looking to turn around a poor run of form that saw them lose every match at the recent Women's Six Nations, with head coach Lynn hoping that added focus on their collision work will make a big difference during their upcoming World Cup campaign. Welcoming Flower to his staff, Lynn said: "'Ben is someone who has worked with this squad of players before and the W6N review highlighted the need to improve our collision work and dominance, both sides of the ball, as a real area we can improve on.' Ospreys powerhouse tipped for Wales call-up Departing Ospreys star Adam Beard has tipped teammate James Fender to become a Wales international despite missing out on a place on the summer tour to Japan. The 23-year-old lock has been a consistent performer for the Ospreys, with his no-nonsense style, athleticism and huge physicality seeing him dominate stronger packs, all while getting through a massive amount of work in defence. He had been on Warren Gatland's radar last season, but injuries prevented him from being called into the Wales squad. With Beard and Will Rowlands also not selected for the Japan tour by interim coach Matt Sherratt, Fender could count himself as extremely unlucky not to be picked, with many onlookers viewing it as the perfect time for him to be blooded as an international. Fender has been tipped to win international honours But while he looks set to have to wait to win his first cap, Beard has no doubt that Fender has the ability to thrive as an international second row, with another teammate, Rhys Davies, also tipped to add to his three Wales caps if he can steer clear of further injuries. 'There are some good second rows in Wales,' Beard told RugbyPass. 'I know from playing at the Ospreys that they have boys pushing through. "James Ratti is in the squad but they also have Rhys Davies and James Fender. Rhys has had some bad luck with injuries. If he has a run of games, it won't be long before he's wearing the Welsh jersey again. 'James is only 23, but he has all the attributes to be an international second row," he added. "He's had good exposure over the past couple of years, has taken charge of the set-piece and is learning with every game.' Borthwick names England squad By PA Sport Staff England head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 36-man training squad for next weekend's match against a France XV. The squad includes nine Bath and Leicester players – Charlie Ewels, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Will Muir, Max Ojomoh, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet – that featured in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final, plus Bath's Sam Underhill, who missed the game due to suspension. However, there is no place for 21-year-old Saracens scrum-half Charlie Bracken, the son of former England international Kyran, one of 16 uncapped players named in the original training group when it was confirmed by England Rugby on Monday. Sale flanker Ben Curry is included among a list of players in rehabilitation along with Northampton duo Fraser Dingwall and George Furbank and Bristol's Harry Randall. Players who have been called up to Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions party for their tour to Australia were not considered for selection, and neither were Joe Batley, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Lozowski, George Martin or Ollie Sleightholme. An England XV will face a France XV at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday ahead of Test matches against the United States and Argentina. Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Manny Iyogun (Northampton), Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), Curtis Langdon (Northampton), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Guy Pepper (Bath), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Sam Underhill (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens). Article continues below Backs: Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Joe Carpenter (Sale), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale), Will Muir (Bath), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
