These airlines value maturity and life experience so bring this to the interview table and you will have an advantage over the nippers who know nothing of the real world and have never had a conversation with anyone over 30
They do for direct entry pilot, but that's more down to the hours requirement factor over anything else.
I believe this sponsorship is to address the issue that they have very few pilots in their 20's flying for VS. Obviously they can't discriminate on age when advertising this sponsorship, but I would imagine those not meeting their age requirement will be found a convenient excuse as to why they haven't made the grade.