From the tender age of 17 years, Paula Calderon demonstrated a keen sense of leadership and an admirable quality of dedication to service. A justice of the Peace (JP) and a recipient of the Saint Lucia Piton Medal (SLPM); she is currently the Managing Director for Caribbean Awning Production Company Limited.
Aside from being very actively engaged in sports as an extraordinary player at the national level in netball, she also played volleyball and in 1979 she was crowned Female Volleyballer for the Year.
Paula also served as President of the Saint Lucia National Netball Association (SLNNA) for four consecutive years from 1987 to 1991.
During her tenure she took the Netball Association to such great heights that the association was able to win the prestigious title ‘Association of the Year Award’ for three consecutive years.
She also introduced into the netball arena, the Hall of Fame, Honorary Membership and the President’s Award.
Paula has played an integral part in transforming the prospects and achievements of Saint Lucia netball by increasing its affiliates/ membership by 40% and introduced the Under 23, Under 19 and Under 15 National Squads.
Throughout her sporting years she was a member of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) and one of 12 individuals gathered on January 22nd 1987 to launch the SLOC.
Present at the meeting were Aldith Isaac, Fortuna Belrose, Bryan Walcott, Raphael Jn. Paul, Julius Drysdale, Denis Saint Clair. Also invited were distinguished personalities with a commitment to sports development including Dudley Simmons, Eldon Mathurin, Clarina Horscroft, Laurie Auguste and Keith Weekes.
A Constitution was adopted at that meeting and Laurie Auguste was voted President of an Executive Committee to serve from 1987-1992. Other members included Clarina Horscroft – Secretary, Keith Weekes – Treasurer. Denis Saint Clair, Julius Drysdale, Reginald Cherubin and Paula Calderon were ordinary members and two distinguished members were appointed in George Theophilus and Eldon Mathurin.
Paula’s extensive experience and knowledge of performance both at the national and international sporting landscape has led to this pivotal moment in her career – the opportunity to serve the sport of netball as Vice President of the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) and member of several Disciplinary Sporting Committees (DSC).
She is a great advocate for the sport and someone who has lead netball with vision and determination.
In 1979 she represented Saint Lucia at the 5th World Netball Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago and was identified as one of the best defense players.
As an avid sportswoman, she has excelled to become one of the most respected and accomplished Netball and Sports Administrators and Player in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.
Her extracurricular activities involved serving on numerous committees pertaining to the administration of Sports, Health Care and Community Development and, needless to say, has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades over the years.