While I'm not sure that this would ever become a trend, I really like the idea of giving these kids the exposure to taking a whistle in order to try and control a match... http://www.wakingthered.com/2016/2/...-players-to-become-certified-referees-osa-mls Players will get both in classroom and practical on field training as they learn the ins and outs of the referee position. The training sessions will be held at Toronto FC's KIA training ground. The move will benefit the next generation of TFC players in a couple of key ways according to Academy Director Laurent Guyot. He explained in a press release that it will help the players to better comprehend the rules of the game, increase confidence and help to foster respect for referees.
I've always though all young players should spend some time with a whistle for this exact reason: "He explained in a press release that it will help the players to better comprehend the rules of the game, increase confidence and help to foster respect for referees."
This is exactly how I got my start at refereeing. The coach of my U-16 team made all of us take the introductory Grade 8 referee class and worked with a local house league to ensure that we'd all have assignments at the lowest age groups once we got our badges. It was partially about the opportunity to make money in a productive way, mostly in line with his constant attempts to ensure we respected the game on and off the field. Most of the team never stuck with it after that first year. 25 years later, I'm still at it (and a state referee).