in 2007 with the formation of the Centurions and the Gladiators. The Centurions were based in Canberra's central and eastern suburbs and established by Tuggeranong Tornadoes founder John Crispin, who coached the Tornadoes to four Capital Bowl triumphs. 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. A further addition was made in 2009, with the Gungahlin Wildcats incorporated to begin play in 2010. Based in Canberra's expanding northern suburbs, the Wildcats were founded by former Australian junior coach and two-time ACT Gridiron Coach of the Year John Ludvigson, with the assistance of Jim Smith. The Central Spears began play in 2012, effectively taking over the operation of the Astros club that was scheduled to fold. However, no Astros were part of the Spears' management, coaches and players. The Spears won the ACT Gridiron championship in their first year of existence. The competition remained at six teams through 2014, before various clubs did not enter teams over the next several years. The Gladiators did not field a team in 2015, before returning to play in 2016 and 2017. The Gladiators entered a joint venture in 2018 with the Wildcats, known as the Barbarians, which only lasted on season. Following the 2018 season, the Wildcats folded. The Gladiators did not enter a team in 2019, before returning in 2020. The Tuggeranong Tornadoes did not enter a team in 2016, but came back for the 2017 season and a playoff appearance, before folding. The Central Spears did not enter a team in 2017, but returned in 2018 and made the semi-final. The Spears folded on the eve of the 2019 season. The Firebirds only fielded a junior team in 2020 - citing reduced player numbers caused by COVID-19 disruptions and increased league fees as the reason for no mens team - before re-branding as the University of Canberra Stars as part of a university-wide re-brand of sports teams.The club has yet to re-enter a team in ACT Gridiron competition, but fielded a women's team in the 2022 Gridiron NSW competition. In 2020, despite opposition, the league saw fit to welcome the introduction of the newly formed Gungahlin Wolves Gridiron Club. The club was formed by president Jason Ray and with a disrupted 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,