The club played three seasons as members of the NSW League, winning the championship in 1994, their last year in the competition.

In 2020, the League had three teams and welcomed its first female athlete playing in the Men's division, Daniela Stosic.

[1][2] The original senior teams were: the Belconnen Thunderbolts, the Tuggeranong Tornadoes, the University of Canberra Firebirds, the Tidbinbilla Space Cadets and the Queanbeyan Wolverines.

A number of players joined with the remaining members of the Belconnen Thunderbolts and Tidbinbilla Space Cadets to form the Canberra Tigers, who won Capital Bowl III in the club's inaugural season.

The Astros had great success in the NSW League, winning one title in 1996 from appearances in four grand finals.

The foundation Queanbeyan Wolverines folded mid-way through the 1998 season, but another Queanbeyan-based team – named the Warriors – formed in 2000.

The Gladiators began training in the Woden Valley and Kambah area and were coached by Mike Whitesell, who was in charge of the Astros team that won the 1996 NSW league championship.

The Central Spears began play in 2012, effectively taking over the operation of the Astros club that was scheduled to fold.

In 2022 the League celebrated its 30th anniversary season, with the Centurions winning a fourth consecutive title 26-22 over the Wolves.

Two teams – the Firebirds in 2000 and the Astros in 2005 – have finished the regular season undefeated but lost the Capital Bowl.

The League has seen four 4-peat championship streaks throughout its history, with the Astros (2001-04), Firebirds (2005-08), Spears (2012-15) and Centurions (2019-22) all achieving this feat.

The Monarchs posted their first-ever victories at the 2001 Championships, defeating Victoria in the second round and South Australia in the third place playoff.

After another hiatus from state competition, the Monarchs participated in the 2014 Australian Gridiron League (AGL), suffering heavy losses to Queensland and NSW in their pool games.

In 2006 the Junior Monarchs finished second at the National Championships on the Gold Coast, losing only to the Queensland Sundevils, which won the tournament, in overtime.