A "roadmap for the future" was how the GAA described its strategic vision for the next seven years when unveiling it at Cusack Park this afternoon.
The culmination of a process that involved 8,000 people at home and abroad is an inclusive plan, according to president Nickey Brennan.
"Our Vision is that everybody has the opportunity to be welcomed to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow and develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong engagement with our Association," said Brennan.
The GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015seeks to achieve targets "at club, county, provincial and national level".
It targets increased participation in urban areas, amongst non traditional and new communities; and looks to provide an enhanced playing experience for all players and improve communications with all members.
Achieving this involves urban initiatives, the improvement of coaching standards, the development of better facilities and the implementation of a more balanced programme of games for players.
"The Strategy acts as our anchor to help us plan our work, goals and targets, measure our success and enables us to be more accountable.
"The GAA has been built up over the past 124 years; it is up to each one of us now to help the Association to grow. We all have a part to play in the achievement of the goals and objectives outlined in the plan," said Brennan.
Director general Páraic Duffy added: "I welcome this plan which is practical and achievable and clearly sets out objectives for the Association and I look forward to everybody working together to implement it."
Targets set out in The GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015
Enhancing players' experience
- To develop and expand support through the player injury scheme, educational programmes, health initiatives and maintaining a website resource on player welfare
- Through the Medical, Scientific and Welfare committee learn from latest research and develop best practice
- Devising an appropriate programme and schedule of games
Amateurism/Volunteers
- Establishing a volunteer commitment scheme, a one-year active involvement for former players or any other members
- Inaugurate an annual Volunteer Forum
Urbanisation
- Rolling out GAA recreational games for all age groups
- Establishing national steering groups to devise urban development plan
- Establishing centres of excellence in each urban area
Fixtures
- Putting in place a national fixtures planning committee to devise a three-year programme of matches
- Two fixtures planners to be appointed to each county and province
Games Development
- All county managers to have the Award 1 level of coaching credential by 2012 and by 2015 all to have reached the Award 2 standard.
Communications
- Launch intranet website for association members.
- Re-launch the GAA website
- Establish training plan for PROs
- Annual online communications audit to be established
Funding
- Target five per cent increases in sponsorship funding and attendance revenue
Financial excellence
- Eventually redistribute up to 88 per cent of central funds to GAA units
- Seventy five per cent of funds to be distributed on a 'merit' basis
Inclusion and integration
- Recruit inclusion officer
- Pilot 'Have-a-go' days with a view to having them in place in 30 per cent of clubs by 2015
- Change Official Guide to reflect anti-sectarian, pro-inclusion status
- The establishing in Ulster of urban focused cross-community Gaelic games camps and continuing to develop links with the Unionist community
Club, culture and community
- All clubs to have signage around their premises
- The GAA national aural history project to be completed by 2015
Planning
- Strategic plan in place for each unit of the association
- Planning culture embedded in the association
Officer support
- Intranet information service in place for officers
- Officers to give the Croke Park support network a satisfaction rating of more than 75 per cent by 2015