Goat1,
There are many people on sponsorship schemes that have very little experience, if any, of flying light aircraft.
The only point it may be worth thinking about is, how can you prove to an airline that you are committed enough to deal with the highs and lows of the job and of course the year plus you'll spend training. The investment per airline varies considerably, but is usually proportionate to the size of the company.
Many people will apply with lots of hours and many with none, how can you demonstrate that at all costs you will become an airline pilot.
You have a good reason for not having joined cadets etc. but it is well worth having a couple of lessons to get an idea of what it is all about, to ensure that it is what you want to do and most importantly to fuel your enthuiasm.
Airlines use 2 main critera to choose the correct candidate these are;
Can you do the job. Your acedemic qualifications - application form and the apptitude tests should get you though that.
The interview will then discover;
If you will do the job - motivations, committment
What you will be like to work with - how do you relate to people, your friends and family, what do you do in your spare time - team work etc.
If you can pass this then you are on the home straight.
The course is an intensive year+
The selection process is harder is you are not ready for it.
Good luck and keep bugging them to find out when the schemes restart.
As a final question - make sure you have decided what you will do if you don't get in - go it alone, or try again next year
Good luck and keep us posted!
Quicksilver