Fewer secondary school students are playing a sport for their school

School Sport NZ's representation census shows the national average of students involved in sport is 47 percent, compared to a high of 57 percent more than two decades ago.

CEO Mike Summerell says these all-time low statistics are very alarming.

He says they can't hide behind covid anymore, although restriction sizes did have an impact at the start of last year.

Netball, basketball, and rugby are the big three, with volleyball nipping at their heels.