I really don't understand this thread. Parents throw money around in all sorts of places that have very little merit - talent ID camps and development camps and school teams and trials for things their kids won't be selected for. If you can afford to take a week off work and travel to Nationals, you can afford to pay the damn entry fee. And if it's that much of a problem, put your hand up to do some score bench duty during the week, or volunteer with your kid's team all year as a coach or manager, and you won't have to pay it.
Has anyone whining about the entry fee actually been involved in running a Nationals? The complete lack of regard for the amount of work that goes in is really depressing. Random strangers should volunteer their time to do bench, wipe the floors, clean the change rooms, announce the games, coordinate the opening and closing ceremonies and man the (no doubt overpriced) canteen for the benefit of your kid, but god forbid you make a substantive contribution.