It goes without saying that hammer thrower Katie Head would have preferred to have been competing in the European Athletics Championships in Munich this week than the National Athletics League Premiership final.

However, the Newham & Essex Beagle is clear that the league has been crucial in her development in a season in which she has added 4cm to her PB.

Head has been competing in the NAL or its predecessor, the UK Women’s League, ever since she was old enough and has missed only two opportunities in the last five seasons.

The UK No.3 said: “I was chomping at the bit to go up and be in the women’s league and be in the National Athletics League level teams. I always make sure I make it a priority to represent Newham at the NALs. It’s constantly helping me develop and as well, especially at the moment with women’s hammer throwing developing across the country.”

British women’s hammer throwing has seen unprecedented standards this year, with seven of the top 16 on the all-time list having thrown PBs in 2022.

Five of the top 10 in 2022 have amassed 13 NAL appearances between them this season and it is this competition that has spurred them on, believes Head. “I think all of the top girls are in Premiership NAL teams at the moment, so I think we’re constantly pushing each other, whether it’s at British Champs or it’s at NAL.”

She added: “We get so regular competing against each other it’s not always that we’re seen as competitors. I think quite a lot of us have gone up through the age groups and now we’re in NALs together … so it’s a friendly atmosphere going to competitions with them through the NAL.”

Despite improving to 69.72m this year, her season has been tinged with disappointment as she missed out on qualifying for the three major championships – the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Europeans, very narrowly on rankings in the case of the latter.

She said: “Obviously, I’m very grateful and happy that I do have a lot of support around me. There’s a lot of things that haven’t gone my way this year but also I’m only 22. Fingers crossed this go may way in the future.”

Head credits finishing university and being able to devote herself full-time to athletics for her advancement this year and she believes a place in the team for the World Championships in Budapest 2023 is within her grasp.

She said: “Performance-wise this year I haven’t performed as well in recent months. I’ve just been dealing with some of the disappointment of not being selected for these competitions. But I think def initely for next year, this year’s put a bit of the fire in me. Defintiely Worlds next year is my main aim.”

Head will be competing at the NAL Premiership final in Bedford on Saturday. Click here for details of live stream, timetable and other information.