This is a expensive sport.
No one try's to hide that fact.
If you start and add up the cost of a top range marker, hopper, airsystem and the mask, gloves and team top. You are looking at over £1000.
You only pay that, if you love the sport.
I agree we should have more tournys further North, but you need northern site's to host them. If its not in the site's interest, you can not expect them to host an event. Maybe now that T.V. is starting to get interested, it might be worth while for more site's to get exposure by hosting an event? only time will tell.
As the sport gets bigger, they must come a time when we split into North/South/East/West divisions, and then come together in an end of season Final. But until then, you will have to travel.
Just my 2p worth.