The organisers are deemed to be the ECF, so that argument goes round in a circle. If the organisers weren't the ECF, they would have the Junior Game Fee option as a means of having the event graded without demanding membership as an implied entry fee.LawrenceCooper wrote: But the organisers have the choice if the event is to be graded and thereby if players have to be members.
You would need nil entries to every event demanding membership before at least some now in positions of power and influence in the ECF would admit even the possibility that compulsory membership can discourage participation.