Netball: Quakes stir guilt for netballer

Christchurch detective Charlene Porima has played for Singapore since 2005. Photo / Supplied

Many emotions come with playing in a netball world championships - nerves, excitement, pride.

Christchurch policewoman Charlene Porima, who will be representing hosts Singapore at this week's tournament, can add another - guilt.

With Singapore very much minnows in world netball, Porima is in for a tough week. But her thoughts will never be far from her hometown.

Just days after she arrived in Singapore to help prepare her side for the sport's pinnacle event, Christchurch was rocked by another series of severe aftershocks, bringing more buildings down and taking a further toll on the already frayed nerves of Cantabrians.

Porima, who was born in Singapore but has lived in Canterbury most of her life, said it had been extremely difficult watching from afar as Christchurch went through further pain.

"Just being here and hearing what is going on back home with the continuing aftershocks is quite upsetting and very emotional," said Porima.

"I feel a bit guilty. In a way, I kind of wish I were there to help."

A detective with the CIB, Porima was working in the central city when the February 22 disaster struck.

In those first hours of utter bedlam, she was tasked with clearing buildings and ushering the survivors out of the city, but soon found herself pitching in and helping with the rescue and recovery from the collapsed CTV building.

"It was a tough experience, very, very traumatic," she said.

"We were also running for our lives as well because there were continuing aftershocks ... I now know what it's like to fear for my life."

While she has to deal with the occasional pangs of guilt, for the most part the build-up to the world championships has provided a welcome distraction for the 33-year-old.

Porima, who has played for Singapore since 2005 and amassed 36 test caps, had the opportunity to tour South Africa and Botswana in April - an experience she describes as "absolutely amazing".

"I've gotten to see a lot of the world with this team and I'm really happy to be a part of the group."

The super-fit midcourter, who played for the Canterbury Flames in the old domestic league, is not the only Kiwi connection in the Singapore side.

The team is coached by former Central Pulse coach Kate Carpenter, and Annette Pearce serves as performance analyst.

Singapore is ranked 19 in the world, but as hosts earned automatic entry into the world champs.

Canterbury has also been on the minds of the expat community in Singapore. About 80 expat New Zealanders attended the Silver Ferns' final training game against Barbados on Saturday. Entry was by donation, as part of an initiative organised by the local New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.

Fisher & Paykel Singapore chief Miles Webster has arranged for two fridges to be decked out in NZ and Australian colours. They will be signed by the two teams and auctioned off at a ball, with gifts from Singapore firms.

The proceeds will go to the Prime Minister's earthquake fund.