'YOU DO THE SUMS'

As I often say on this site, 'You do the sums', a saying I have used for as long as I can remember because tennis is one of those sports where sometimes you simply have to do just that, the sums, as much of it doesn't really add up.
Although some times it does add up to a very large amount.
Read on.
I recently received an email from someone who is just starting out as a 'Tennis Parent', ( all the best ) however I know this person and I also know that this person could hit a mean ball when younger, one of this State's best players throughout their junior career.
Back then it didn't cost much to enter a tennis tournament, now days it's rather expensive, to say the least.
'Scott' just entered his child in a 12 and under Junior Tennis Tournament and was rather taken back by the entry fee and I must admit that once I saw the figure I had to do a double take on it. 
At first I believed I was reading a cricket score.
Now this junior tennis tournament was no big deal, a 'Bronze' level tennis tournament where the 'Fast 4' scoring format takes place which is basically what we now days refer to as a 'Mickey Mouse Tennis Tournament', for obvious reasons.
So let's look at the cost of entry for an 11 year old kid and let's then compare that cost with an AMT Event ( Australian Money Tournament ) where budding young players can gain ranking points to hopefully further their dream of one day becoming a Pro Tennis Player.
It will cost the parents of an 11 year old kid $90 to play a Bronze Level event if the child wishes to play both singles and doubles. $60 for a singles entry and $30 for doubles. This cost in fact varies around Australia as some charge $45 for singles and $25 for doubles whereas another State charges $55 for singles and $25 for doubles. 
You do the sums on the average.
Here's the strange part, it will cost a budding professional exactly the same price to play an AMT event where prize money is as much as $2,400 for a title and $300 for a last 8 showing. At least these guys have a chance to make their entry fee back. 
What about the parents of an 11 year old kid ? 
Does it all simply go into 'the book of experience' ?
So who makes up the entry fee cost ? Correct me if I am wrong, Tennis Australia ? If so can TA please explain why a young kid pays the same price as a budding pro for the 'privilege' of playing in a tennis tournament ?? 
Check this out.
There's a junior tennis tournament being played over the East Coast of Australia where there are over 300 entries in the singles alone, all paying $60 for the 'privilege' of playing.  (that's a lot of dollars going somewhere)
TA, how's the Bank account ?
Do the sums on the following and let's look at just an 'average' 11 year old kid and what it may cost their parents to play their very first event.
Racket.
Shoes.
Clothes.
Entry Fee.
Fuel.
Food.
Accommodation. ( depending on where they live of course )
Yes of course it is the parents who have decided to take their child to a tennis tournament however the equation is simple, it should not cost almost $100 for two matches before the parents even get to the car park of the event.
So add it up, do the sums if you wish and if you don't come up with a rather large figure, the same as I have then you are not adding it up correctly.
Tennis, a rich person's sport, good luck 'Scotty'.........