The number of people who are members of sports clubs has fallen for the first time this century, Dutch sports association NOC*NSF said on Monday.

This year, 3.9 million people are members of one or more sports clubs, down 1.2% on 2013.

The organisation puts the drop down to the economic situation. ‘In particular this is an issue with families where children were members of two or three clubs,’ spokesman Geert Slot said.

Smart phones and social media may also pay a role because ‘sometimes you don’t need a club anymore,’ Slot told news agency ANP.

Despite the drop off in membership, the NOC*NSF says 10 million of the 17 million Dutch population still take part in sports.