On the funding issue... is there any transparency as to what the true cost of the program is after the parent / fundraising / sponsorship contributions?The National Under 16 competition was cancelled indefinitely last year and IIRC the funds redirected to the JGC.
There is a National Schoolboys Championships for Under 18's held annually but with each state running their own schooling systems, some kids in some states can leave school as Under 17's and as they are not attending a School are therefore not eligible to participate in that.
Lastly there is also a National Under 20 Championship, having just been through its second iteration.