The head coach of a high school hockey team in central Newfoundland has resigned over a new anti-fighting policy brought in by the regional school board.

The Nova Central School District says its new code of conduct means players who fight on the ice will be suspended from hockey games for 30 school days, and second violations will mean suspensions from all high school sports for a year.

Cindy Fleet says a new Nova Central School District rule against hockey fighting will stand.
(CBC)

Barry Saunders, who quit as the volunteer head coach of the Exploits Valley High Eagles in Grand Falls-Windsor, said the no-fighting rule will result in more game penalties for slashing, cross-checking and other violations.

Saunders said he should have been consulted before the new no-fighting rules were drafted.

"As coaches we are volunteering our time, and I feel that as a volunteer my opinion on something that's happening into a sport that I'm coaching should [have] some type of value to it.

"That's not the case here, so if there's no value in your opinion, well, obviously there's no value in the time that you're willing to put into the sport."

Cindy Fleet, the director of education with the Nova Central School District, said it is unfortunate that Saunders has resigned, but said the policy will stand.

"There is a message from the school district here to students, and it's really a four-word message: Fighting is not OK," Fleet said.

She said a high school program specialist, gym teachers and some coaches made up the new rules.