In the heart of Cambanac, a transformation is taking root. While the crack of the bat and championship pedigree will define the Bohol Coconuts Baseball & Softball Club, the organization’s footprint extends far beyond the diamond. With the upcoming development of the Coconuts Performance Center, the club is solidifying a vision where elite athletic training, academic excellence, and sustainable livelihood projects coexist to uplift an entire community.
For the Coconuts, the goal isn’t just to produce the first native-born Filipino Major League Baseball superstar; it is to build a self-sustaining ecosystem that empowers families and nourishes the community.
A Sanctuary for Growth: The Livelihood Mission
General Manager Lerma Moore, who also serves as a local Councilwoman, has been the architect of the club’s social impact initiatives. For her, the Coconuts Performance Center represents a “dual mission” where sports serve as the engine for broader community development.
“We believe that a hungry child cannot focus on a fastball, and a struggling family cannot fully support an athlete’s dreams,” Lerma explains. “We aren’t just building a a training facility; we are building a sanctuary where we can nourish both bodies and dreams in Cambanac.”
The club has already seen success with its “Backyard Gardens to Community Soup Kitchen” initiative, which will be integrated into the new center’s operations. By partnering with local families to grow vegetables for the soup kitchen, the club ensures that the players’ families are active participants in the academy’s success.
“Sustainability is the heartbeat of our livelihood projects,” Lerma says. “By integrating an animal husbandry program and community gardening into our soup kitchen, we provide parents with the tools to generate income and provide fresh, organic produce for our athletes’ nutrition. It is a full-circle approach to community health.”
The Power of Technical Precision and Play
While Lerma focuses on the foundation of the home, Coach Marvin “Merv” Moore focuses on the discipline of the field. A former Swiss national team skipper with international experience in both Europe and Asia, Coach Merv views the Performance Center as the laboratory where the “Coconuts Way” will be perfected.
“The Performance Center is designed to be a community hub for youth sports development,” says Coach Merv. “Whether it’s baseball, softball, or even kickball, we teach through the lens of technical precision. We want our youth to understand that success is a byproduct of mental discipline and repetitive excellence.”
The facility will cater to a wide range of ages, from the “Rookie League” (ages 4-5) to the “Seniors” (ages 14-18) who are on professional pathways. But the vision doesn’t stop at elite youth. Coach Merv is a firm believer in the power of recreation for all ages, including adults.
“Athletics shouldn’t end after high school,” Merv notes. “Our adult recreation programs—from slow-pitch softball to kickball—are about keeping the community active and connected. The Performance Center will be a hub where a 45-year-old can rediscover their competitive spirit right next to a 10-year-old learning to catch for the first time. It’s about building a culture of movement.”
Academic Excellence and “One Swing at a Time”
A cornerstone of the Coconuts’ philosophy is that the “student” comes before the “athlete.” The Performance Center will also house an academic program designed to ensure that every Coconuts player is prepared for life beyond the field, whether that leads to a college scholarship or a professional career.
“Education is the greatest equalizer we can offer our youth,” Lerma asserts. “Our academic program is not an afterthought; it is a requirement. We will work with local volunteers and Friends of Bohol Coconuts members to provide tutoring and various seminars within the Performance Center, ensuring our kids and adult members never stop learning and growing.”
This commitment to the future is echoed by local leaders who see the club as a “game-changer” for the youth of Bohol. By providing a safe, structured environment, the club keeps children engaged and focused on positive outcomes.
“We often say we are building futures one swing at a time,” Lerma says. “Every time a child picks up a glove instead of falling into idle habits, we’ve won. The Performance Center provides the physical walls for that safety, but the spirit of the program is what truly protects them.”
Scaling the Vision: Revenue Sharing and Sustainability
The business model of the Coconuts is as innovative as its coaching. By utilizing revenue-sharing models from the club’s Eco-Lodge Suites, the organization ensures that the Performance Center remains accessible. Registration fees for youth remain incredibly low—often just ₱100 per season—to ensure that no talent is turned away due to financial constraints.
“We have been very intentional about our revenue models,” Lerma explains. “The 60/40 and 40/60 sharing agreements allow us to reinvest directly into the club’s infrastructure. It means the success of our tourism and lodging services directly funds the baseball gloves and the animal husbandry feed. It’s a model of communal prosperity.”
A Legacy of Greatness
For Coach Merv, the ultimate goal is to see a Coconuts alum standing on a global stage, representing the resilience of Bohol.
“I will tell our players every day: ‘Don’t be good. Be great!'” Merv emphasizes. “The Performance Center gives them the venue to pursue that greatness. But more importantly, it gives them a sense of belonging. Whether they become a pro ballplayer or a business owner, they will carry the discipline they learned here for the rest of their lives.”
As construction on the premier training site nears, the excitement in Cambanac is palpable. The Coconuts Performance Center is more than just a sports complex; it is a testament to what happens when a community dreams together.
“This is our legacy,” Coach Merv concludes. “We aren’t just teaching kids how to hit a ball; we are teaching them how to hit life’s challenges head-on. That is the true community vision behind the Coconuts.”
Through the combined efforts of Lerma’s livelihood initiatives and Merv’s athletic rigor, the Bohol Coconuts are seeking to prove that a sports club can indeed be the heartbeat of a community.
