HRE is dead right.
If the sport in the UK was run by athletes and ex-athletes, then the main job of the governing body would be to send the fullest possible team to every international event. We all know the inspiration that flows out through the clubs, friends and supporters sport when somebody makes the team.
If you're lucky enough to have a dozen qualifiers in an event, you can afford to debate criteria - young and talented, old and reliable, too flaky to trust etc. But if have zero or one candidates for an event, and you choose not to send them, it's a kick in the teeth for every club athlete who is spending decades chasing that same dream.