Two successive mild winters have had an impact on the number of people joining Dutch skating clubs, broadcaster Nos says on Thursday.

Without freezing conditions and natural ice, children are not being ‘fired’ to take up the sport, the Dutch skating union KNSB says.

Between 2013 and 2014, the number of ice club members fell by 16% and this has continued into 2015. Not only are fewer children getting involved, but people in their 20s are also leaving the sport in droves, the KNSB says.

An added problem is the cost of skating. Not only is a good pair of skates expensive, but membership fees are going up, partly due to subsidy cuts.

‘We are going to work with the clubs to see how we can help them remain attractive,’ spokesman Pieter Clausing said. ‘We have to remain up-to-date.’