Younger refs are needed not just for the amateur game, but the junior game and the senior game too. In order to get better referee's into senior football they need to start young, maybe with the youth leagues before going into juniors maybe as an AR or the amateurs to get a taste of reffing adults. The experience, good and bad will shape some and help the ones that stick it out with game management. All refs know the laws, for me the difference in a good/bad ref might be how a game is managed and how they interact with teams.
The progression to senior football is geared heavily toward younger refs. They are moved into junior football to get the experience needed before getting a chance of senior games. If you start reffing at 35, chances you will even get to Junior football is slim (unless you know someone). The assessors wont come watch unless you have a chance of moving through the ranks and starting later means time is against you... the pathway can take years to get an AR run on a SPFL game - so understandably they prioritise younger refs who have the opportunity to get experience.
As many have said before, those who slate refs - pick a whistle up and see how you get on. I seen someone earlier commenting on guessing decisions, well - the truth is that some decisions have to be (to a degree guessed). For example, if the balls punted - well no ref is beating that ball. The ref has to make an offside call from a distance, he has no linesmen to use - to uses best judgement to make a decision on either on or offside. Whichever he goes with, will have an element of guesswork. That is plainly - the long and short of it.
If I can get a referee who can explain the odd decision, who is largely up with play and rather than being too close to the action is getting into positions to see things clearly to make the best call possible - than I would be happy (even if I disagree with some of the decisions). I'd say reffing at amateur level must be the hardest level to do it at... no linesmen, no second opinions, no security, nothing. On your own to any number of places any given weekend, trying to control 2 teams and their sidelines who will at almost every single opportunity try to gain every single small advantage (or cheat) possible. Refs at our level don't have lino's for off the ball stuff, or an AR to have a second look at something from maybe a better angle.
Best of luck to any young refs starting in our game, it isn't easy.
