Trial Captains in the anime

Ash's classmates are as much Trial Captains as Iris is a Gym Leader. In other words… no, they aren't.

I wouldn't have a problem if they were attending school to learn how to become Trial Captains, though. This topic has not been touched in the anime as yet, but it would be a good nod toward their game counterparts if it was at least hinted at some point.