The Tasmanian Rugby League was founded at a meeting at Heathorn's Hotel, Hobart on 2 December 1953 and the first competition was held in 1954 with teams including Bellerive (Eastern Shore), Taroona, Newtown and Canterbury.

Players were initially recruited from Hobart Rugby Union teams and the first matches were played on 3 April 1954 at the South St Grounds, Bellerive.

In late 2009 a new senior competition was established through the efforts of local 7HO FM Radio Personality Jason 'Wolfie' Wolfgram (President 2009/10), in conjunction with ARL Rugby League Development Officer, Graham McNaney.

In February 2012 a National Rugby League trial match between Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm was held in Hobart.

[8][9][10] However, this proposal never ended up becoming a reality, and no Regular Season NRL matches have ever been played in Tasmania In July 2022 It Was Reported That The Tasmanian Government Were In Talks With The Melbourne Storm On Bringing Games Back To Hobart.