Three generations of the Scaife family boxing dynasty, have set Boxing New Zealand milestones that are unlikely to be overtaken in the foreseeable future.

Patriarch Alan Scaife, made his entrance on to the big stage of the then New Zealand Boxing Association, when he was presented with the Geoff Watchhorn Belt after winning the Light Welterweight title at the 1953 National Championships held in Wanganui.

One year later, Alan wore the New Zealand black singlet at the 1954 Empire Games held in Vancouver, Canada, losing to a Southern Rhodesia opponent in the semi-finals.

On retirement from combat in the squared ring, Alan turned to refereeing for a time, before he began his long and illustrious calling as a boxing trainer. Few New Zealand boxing coaches, have earned the dual honour of being ringside with Kiwi boxers at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games competition. Alan was selected as the New Zealand Boxing Coach at the 1976 Montreal Olympic's, followed two years later with Commonwealth Games duties, at the 1978 Commonwealth event in Cardiff, Wales.

During the 1970's, Alan Scaife achieved a record that is unlikely to ever be overhauled, training the winner of six successive Jameson Belt winners. The Jameson Belt, is the big prize at each Boxing New Zealand National Championships, being awarded to the most scientific senior boxer.

Ron Jackson won the Jameson Belt in 1973 and 1974 with brother David earning the Jameson prize in 1975. Ron returned in the following two years (1976 & 1977) to take out the most scientific trophy, with David the last to extend the Jackson brothers vice-like grip on the Jameson Belt in 1978.

The Alan Scaife name is engraved on the Joe Thwaites Shield, awarded the Jameson Belt Coach in six consecutive years, which is unlikely to ever be beaten.

Grant Scaife, coached by father Alan, added his name to the Watchorn Belt after taking out the Light Welterweight crown at the 1979 Nationals held in Wellington. 

Turning to the boxing training ranks, Grant has continued the success enjoyed by the Heretaunga Boxing Club, with four Joe Thwaites Shields of his own. Multiple New Zealand Light Welterweight and Welterweight titleholder Trevor Shailer was Grant's first Jameson Belt winner, followed by sons Harrison (2011) and Ryan (2017 & 2020) – more about Grant and Ryan later in the piece.

Harrison Scaife achieved a unique Boxing New Zealand treble at the 2011 Hutt Valley Nationals, winning the Light Welterweight division, which had also been achieved by his father and grandfather. There were a few little tears in the house at the 2011 Nationals prizegiving with Harrison being presented with the Jameson Belt by grandfather Alan.

Saving the best for last, in the ring, Ryan Scaife has won five successive Middleweight titles 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020. Ryan was awarded the Jameson Belt in 2017, and went on to represent his country at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.

The recent 2020 National Championships held in Porirua in January 2021, saw Ryan run his Middleweight National titles to five and add the Jameson Belt (for the second time) for good measure. Father and mentor, Grant Scaife, took his Joe Thwaites Shield success’s to four, which takes the Scaife trained boxers Jameson Belt tally to ten.

Scaife Family Boxing Roll of Honour

Alan Scaife

1953                New Zealand Light Welterweight National Champion

1954                New Zealand Empire & Commonwealth Games representative (lost A Harris Southern Rhodesia)

1976                New Zealand Olympic (Montreal, Canada) Boxing Coach

1976                Coach of New Zealand Olympic Representative (David Jackson)

1978                New Zealand Commonwealth Games Boxing Coach

Joe Thwaites Shield (awarded to the coach of the Jameson Belt winner)

1973 (Ron Jackson) 1974 (Ron Jackson) 1975 (David Jackson) 1976 (Ron Jackson) 1977 (Ron Jackson) 1978 (David Jackson)

Grant Scaife

1979                New Zealand Light Welterweight National Champion

Joe Thwaites Shield

1999 (Trevor Shailer) 2011 (Harrison Scaife) 2017 (Ryan Scaife) 2020 (Ryan Scaife)

Harrison Scaife

2011                New Zealand Light Welterweight National Champion

2011                Jameson Belt winner

Ryan Scaife

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 - New Zealand Middleweight National Champion

2017, 2020      Jameson Belt winner

2018                New Zealand Commonwealth Games representative

Article added: Thursday 04 February 2021