New Zealand Governor-General Patsy Reddy with Hayden Roulston, after his investiture as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to cycling. Photo supplied.Two Ashburton-born figures were part of the theme of sporting excellence at an investiture ceremony held in Christchurch on Monday.

Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy held a short investiture ceremony where Roly Crichton was recognised for his efforts guiding the career of top Paralympian Sophie Pascoe, while top cyclist turned coach Hayden Roulston was also acknowledged.

The ceremonies normally take place at Government House in Auckland or Wellington, and one a year in the South Island, however, due to Covid-19 a series of smaller ceremonies are being held to have the honours conferred.

Crichton started coaching with the Ashburton Swim Team, but is most well known for coaching Pascoe – New Zealand’s most successful paralympian – and in the 2019 New Year Honours he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Paralympic sport.

He had also been a successful athlete in his own right.

At the 1984 Summer Paralympics, Crichton won a gold medal in the 50m freestyle as well as two silver medals and a bronze.

Then at the 1988 Summer Paralympics, he won a silver and bronze medal.

Roulston is one of New Zealand’s most successful cyclists.

He won silver and bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

He also won two bronze medals at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, and then a silver in the road race at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Roulston has also competed in the Tour de France, won the Tour of Southland four times, and the New Zealand road race National Championship four times as well as several track titles at the New Zealand and Oceania track championships.

In 2015 Roulston announced his retirement from road racing and began coaching.

Roulston was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.

At the ceremony on Monday, former All Black coach Sir Steve Hansen was also honoured for his efforts in coaching our international team.

Hansen was knighted in the 2020 New year’s honours.

By Jonathan Leask © The Ashburton Guardian -  6 August 2020