THE Gaelic Players' Association is hoping to move out of its offices in Croke Park to develop "a stand-alone, state-of-the-art" facility.
Plans for 'The Institute' were unveiled in the organisation's Annual Report which was launched in Dublin yesterday.
The GPA wants its new 2,250 square metre building headquarters to include:
* Corporate offices for the GPA * Health & Well-Being Centre * Enterprise Centre
* Research Centre
* Athlete Engagement Centre q Social Responsibility Centre
Outlining the reasons for investing in the new centre, the Annual Report states the two-story Institute will "house the GPA programmes and establish an efficient, concentrated environment for county players where all GPA activities can be included."
The Institute will "support the GPA's core activity in career, education, life skills, leadership and health and well-being along with services such as enterprise and innovation, athlete engagement, social responsibility, research and corporate management".
Plans for The Institute are still at an embryonic stage as the GPA is still considering a range of options.
The report states: "Whether this centre is constructed as a stand-alone, state-of-the-art building or colocated on an educational, sporting or business campus is still being assessed but we hope that this ambitious project will progress from the concept stage in 2015".
The GPA is keen to expand its player development programme. A statement released by the players' body said: "The objective of the GPA Programme is to ensure that county players are not committing to their sport at the expense of their personal development off the field of play."
The body's chief executive, Dessie Farrell believes the GPA's player development programmes are already "making a meaningful difference to the lives of those players who use them".
However, Farrell believes that individuals who fail to show due diligence during their playing careers will eventually harbour regrets when their playing days are over.
Farrell's annual address includes an anecdote about a comment made by a former All-Ireland medallist at a GAA function.
"He stated that while the game was good to him on the field, it wasn't good to him off it. This is not a player who, subsequent to his playing career, has problems with alcohol,
gambling or with his mental health. This was just a statement of fact. He wished the Player Development Programme was established in his day."
Farrell wants player development issues "to play a more prominent role everywhere within our games
- in our dressing rooms, selectors' discussions, county board meetings, at Congress and so on.
"It must become part of the narrative for players, managers, administrators and supporters. It must become embedded in the mindset and language we use."
* HOW IT WILL LOOK: A computer mock-up of the GPA's proposed new facility