October 27, 2018 (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.) – Legendary coach and world champion, Norman Sheil, 86, originally from Great Britain, passed away at this home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. on Oct. 25. Sheil coached some of Canada’s top riders from 1978-82 including Jocelyn Lovell, Steve Bauer, Gordon Singleton, Louis Garneau, Hugh Walton, Pierre Harvey, Ron Hayman, Eon D’Ornellas and more.

Sheil was an accomplished rider himself winning the world pursuit championships for Britain in 1955 and 1958, Commonwealth Games gold twice in 1954 and 1958, and raced at the Tour de France in 1960. He retired from racing in 1963 and began coaching in Britain before coming to Canada. Sheil returned to racing winning the 1998 Masters Points Race world title.

“I first met Norman Sheil when I was racing in the UK with coaching great Eddie Soens. During interviews for Canada’s coaching position I was asked to sit in on interviews,” said Singleton, who won Canada’s first world title in 1983 winning the Keirin. “Norman was a fabulous man and an uplifting coach.”

“We went to the 1998 Masters Worlds together where he added another title to his great career,” added Singleton. “His previous world titles were very special as there were only four amateur titles at that time. When he moved to from Ottawa we became very good friends and my wife and I visited him regularly.”