Michael O'Neill believes the new National Football Centre will be "game changing" in terms of preparation for Northern Ireland. The Irish Football Association confirmed details of its new state-of-the-art, multi-million pound facility planned on a 50-acre site beside partners Galgorm flagship resort and spa near Ballymena. It's a venue close to O'Neill's heart given he grew up nearby and also had his wedding in the venue some 25 years ago. He is hoping for another successful partnership which he feels will benefit football throughout Northern Ireland. "When I was playing for Star United this wasn't here," joked the senior men's team manager. "It is an amazing venue and fabulous facility. "You can see about this venue more than anything else is that when you come here they are always looking to improve and invest and make things better. I think we can build something that is really special. "It will be a great facility and Training Centre. It is game changing in terms of preparation of the team. We are a little bit nomadic at the minute which is always a challenge. "There is consistency of familiarity of the players and quality of the pitch and everything around that. It will dramatically change how we can prepare the team in terms of stability. Having this facility, things will be taken care of. "Have we been disadvantaged before? I think it would have been easier if we had had our own base and this will enhance our preparation. International football is a choice and the players have to make themselves available. "I see the training facilities that are in place for clubs and what the lads are coming from, it is important that we have something on a par if not better in senior international football. We have a young squad and they will embrace this facility to help us prepare as a team." With all of Northern Ireland's teams set to be based at the new hub, which is anticipated to open its doors in 2028, O'Neill feels it will inspire the future generations. "The younger players will have that familiarity and identity with Northern Ireland football and aspire to go on to play at senior international level," he said. "Young players' first real interaction with football is at grassroots level and they aspire from there to become elite young players. Young players will experience this facility which is strong for building a player's identity. "We have had to use various facilities and hotels across Northern Ireland and put training facilities onto that. Going forward we won't have to do that. The men's and women's senior teams will benefit greatly but we come together five times a year, we have limited access to the players but it will be a game changer in the sense of the wider influence on the game. "When I was a young player we didn't have that exposure, their international journey starts at Under-17 but a lot of work goes on beforehand that people don't see." Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.