Groups like the Claque are typical of many performers on the folk scene - very good at what they do, but operating in a limited geographical area. In some cases they would be more than capable of holding their own on a national stage, but for various reasons - day jobs, family commitments etc - they choose to keep it as, essentially, a part-time hobby. Performers like this, who don't get widespread exposure, simply aren't going to appear on the radar of national folk awards, no matter how good they are.