Helen McCutcheon Oliver advocates for the return of the girls lacrosse Tournament of Champions, which was eliminated by the NJSIAA in November 2021, leading to the launch of the Kirst Cup for boys. Despite positive responses from the New Jersey Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association and successful fundraising, support for reviving the girls TOC varies among top programs, with concerns about added stress on players. The biggest challenge in establishing a girls version of the Kirst Cup appears to be finding a motivated coach to lead the initiative.

By the Numbers
  • NJSIAA voted in November 2021 to eliminate all team Tournament of Champions events.
  • The Kirst Cup for boys lacrosse gathered 5,000 signatures in support of continuing the tournament.
  • Approximately $15,000 to $20,000 was spent on insurance, field rentals, security, and other expenses for the seven Kirst Cup games.
  • The GoFundMe for the Kirst Cup nearly met its $35,000 goal in five days and raised an additional $10,000.
Yes, But

Not all top programs support the revival of the girls Tournament of Champions, with concerns about added stress on players at the end of the school year.

What's Next

Efforts are ongoing to find a motivated coach to lead the establishment of a girls version of the Kirst Cup and potentially revive the girls lacrosse Tournament of Champions in New Jersey.

Bottom Line

The push to reinstate the girls lacrosse Tournament of Champions in New Jersey faces varying levels of support and challenges, especially around concerns of player stress and the need for a dedicated coach to spearhead the initiative.