Grant Balkema was a longtime NGS board member, coach, referee and friend who died suddenly at his Boston College office on Wednesday, November 24, 2004.  We were all deeply saddened by his sudden loss. Newton's fields and sidelines will feel empty without him.

Newton Girls Soccer has created an annual award to be presented every December to recognize a youth referee who exemplifies the personal qualities and professional standards that guided Grant Balkema as an accomplished referee. The The Grant Balkema Memorial Award, will be presented to a high school youth referee and will carry with it a college scholarship in an amount to be determined annually by the Award committee.

The winner of the Balkema Award will be a high school youth referee who has been active with Newton Girls Soccer games and who has achieved high standards of maturity, sensitivity, good humor, and sound judgment in managing play to promote the great game of soccer. The recipient will also have demonstrated keen knowledge of the Laws of the Game and highest respect for the traditions of the game that have so enhanced the lives of many young people in Newton.

We hope that many Newton families will join in making tax-deductible contributions to the Balkema Award fund to help NGS launch this annual memorial to Grant. Checks should be made to "NGS -- The Balkema Award" and sent to:

Newton Girls Soccer, PO Box 620275, Newton, MA 02462-0275.
In addition, it would be very helpful if contributors would email a pledge of intention to the NGS president the email address below so that NGS can move ahead with its planning for the first Balkema Award.

It is anticipated that the first Grant Balkema Memorial Award will be presented at the annual dinner of the NGS Board of Directors, Sunday, December 5.