American Football ACT formally known as ACT Gridiron or ACTG is the governing body for gridiron (American football) in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. ACT Gridiron currently has three teams. The season culminates with the grand final, known as the Capital Bowl.
History Gridiron in the ACT began in 1990 with the formation of the Canberra Sabretooths Gridiron Club. In that year the Sabretooths played a number of full contact games against NSW gridiron teams before entering the NSW competition in 1991. The club played three seasons as members of the NSW League, winning the championship in 1994, their last year in the competition.
The ACT Gridiron League was formed in 1993 with five teams competing for the Capital Bowl trophy. In 2020, the League had three teams and welcomed its first female athlete playing in the Men's division, Daniela Stosic.
Original teams The original senior teams were: the Belconnen Thunderbolts, the Tuggeranong Tornadoes, the University of Canberra Firebirds, the Tidbinbilla Space Cadets and the Queanbeyan Wolverines. As of 2022 sadly all of these teams have since folded.
After the NSW championship-winning season in 1994, the Sabretooths folded. 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.
A number of ex-Sabretooths went on to form the ACT Astros to continue an involvement in the NSW competition. The Astros had great success in the NSW League, winning one title in 1996 from appearances in four grand finals. In 2001, the ACT Astros were renamed the Astros and entered the ACT Competition after withdrawing from the NSWGFL, replacing the Canberra Tigers side which folded after the 2000 season. The Astros experienced immediate success, winning championships in each of their first four seasons and compiling a 28–1 record between 2001 and 2003. The club effectively ceased operation following the 2011 season. The foundation Queanbeyan Wolverines folded mid-way through the 1998 season, but another Queanbeyan-based team – named the Warriors – formed in 2000. After experiencing early success by making the playoffs in the club's first three years (including a Capital Bowl appearance in 2001), the Warriors folded early in the 2005 season.
Expansion ACT Gridiron then welcomed two expansion teams 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.Canberra Times, 18 November 2012
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 one 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 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 2021 the league saw the introduction of the Gungahlin Wolves Gridiron Club. The club was formed by president Jason Ray and won the Junior championship in the club's inaugural season.
In 2022 the League celebrated its 30th anniversary season, with the Centurions winning a fourth consecutive title 26-22 over the Wolves. The Gladiators won the Juniors title, the first of any kind for the club since its Capital Bowl triumph in 2009.
On January 26 2024, the league announced two new league members of the Goulburn Rams and the UC Stars.
League members Narrabundah Centurions Woden Valley Gladiators UC Stars
Former members Gungahlin Wolves Central Spears Gungahlin Wildcats Tuggeranong Tornadoes University of Canberra Firebirds ACT Astros Canberra Tigers Queanbeyan Wolverines Erindale Titans (Juniors) Queanbeyan Warriors Kambah Kestrels (Juniors) Tidbinbulla Space Cadets Canberra Sabertooths Marist Razorbacks (Juniors) Weston Creek Buccaneers (Juniors) Queanbeyan Eagles/Knights (Juniors) Belconnen Thunderbolts
Capital Bowl winners Year Winning team Runners-up Score MVP Winning coach 2025 Gungahlin Wolves Centurions 23-7 Matt Phillips (Wol) - QB Jason Ray 2024 Gungahlin Wolves Centurions 40-23 Jake Christie (Wol) - RB Jason Ray 2023 Gungahlin Wolves Centurions 18-8 Jake Christie (Wol) - RB Jason Ray 2022 Centurions Gungahlin Wolves 26-22 Jayson Irvin (Cen) - QB Josh Gargiulo 2021 Centurions Gungahlin Wolves 20-14 Beau Kennett (Cen) - QB Grant Frost2020CenturionsWoden Valley Gladiators4-0**Grant Frost 2019 Centurions University of Canberra Firebirds 4-1* Josh Gargiulo 2018 University of Canberra Firebirds Centurions 29–6 Shaquille Garner (UC) - WR Aruvin Karunakaran 2017 University of Canberra Firebirds Tuggeranong Tornadoes 56–0 James Thornhill (UC) – RB/S Nathan Long 2016 University of Canberra Firebirds Central Spears 34–14 Nathan Long 2015 Central Spears University of Canberra Firebirds 28–27 Jason Swain (CS) – WR Tim Macarthur 2014 Central Spears University of Canberra Firebirds 46–7 Jason Swain (CS) – WR Tim Macarthur 2013 Central Spears Tuggeranong Tornadoes 36–0 Joseph Taula (CS) – QB/LB Tim Macarthur 2012 Central Spears University of Canberra Firebirds 26–0 Joseph Taula (CS) – QB/LB Tim Macarthur 2011 University of Canberra Firebirds Gungahlin Wildcats 18–12 Ian Lanham (UC) – RB/FS Shawn Willis 2010 University of Canberra Firebirds Woden Valley Gladiators 28–11 Jeremy Milne (UC) – RB Shawn Willis 2009 Woden Valley Gladiators Tuggeranong Tornadoes 29–22 Tim Macarthur (WVG) – RB/FS Andrew Old 2008 University of Canberra Firebirds Tuggeranong Tornadoes 21–6 Luke Kominek (UC) – QB Shawn Willis 2007 University of Canberra Firebirds Tuggeranong Tornadoes 12–6 (2OT) Phil Fooks (TT) – RB Shawn Willis 2006 University of Canberra Firebirds Tuggeranong Tornadoes 19–7 Travis Ford (UC) – RB/MLB Shawn Willis 2005 University of Canberra Firebirds Astros 15–14 (OT) Travis Ford (UC) – RB/MLB Shawn Willis 2004 Astros University of Canberra Firebirds 20–15 Jaron Worsley (As) – RB/LB Steve Kerr 2003 Astros Tuggeranong Tornadoes 41–20 Steve Kerr (As) – RB Carlos Amponin 2002 Astros University of Canberra Firebirds 21–10 Michael Mau'u (As) – QB/ILB Rob Bourke 2001 Astros Queanbeyan Warriors 45–0 Steve Kerr (As) – QB John Roe 2000 Tuggeranong Tornadoes University of Canberra Firebirds 10–7 Cameron Dickson (TT) – DE/K John Crispin 1999 Canberra Tigers Tuggeranong Tornadoes 25–8 Steve Hoppitt (CT) – G/DT Craig Simmons 1998 Tuggeranong Tornadoes Canberra Tigers 20–12 John Crispin 1997 Tuggeranong Tornadoes University of Canberra Firebirds 14–6 John Crispin 1996 Tuggeranong Tornadoes Canberra Tigers 14–6 John Crispin 1995 Canberra Tigers Queanbeyan Wolverines 14–13 Roger Vann 1994 University of Canberra Firebirds Belconnen Thunderbolts 28–0 John Etminan 1993 Tidbinbilla Space Cadets Belconnen Thunderbolts 12–6 (OT) Buck Armstrong (TSC) Michael Whitesell
(*) Championship decided over a five-game series. (**) Championship decided over a four-game series.
Charity Bowl winners Since 1994, the first game of the ACTGL Senior season has been given the title of the Charity Bowl with funds raised on the day going to local charities. Since 1998, all funds have been donated to the ACT Cancer Society in memory of Shane Gray, a founding member, former player and official of the ACT Gridiron League who died of cancer in 1996. The winning side receives the Charity Shield, a perpetual trophy donated by former ACT Chief Minister and ACT Gridiron patron Trevor Kaine.
The first Charity Bowl was played between the Tuggeranong Tornadoes and the Queanbeyan Wolverines. Since then, the game has been scheduled between the holders of the Charity Shield and the defending Capital Bowl champions. If one team holds both trophies, the opponent is the team which lost the Capital Bowl the previous year.
Year Team 2022 Centurions 2018 University of Canberra Firebirds 2017 University of Canberra Firebirds 2016 University of Canberra Firebirds 2015 Central Spears 2014 Central Spears 2013 Central Spears 2012 University of Canberra Firebirds 2011 University of Canberra Firebirds 2010 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 2009 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 2008 University of Canberra Firebirds 2007 University of Canberra Firebirds 2006 University of Canberra Firebirds 2005 Astros 2004 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 2003 Astros 2002 Astros 2001 University of Canberra Firebirds 2000 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 1999 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 1998 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 1997 Canberra Tigers 1996 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 1995 Tuggeranong Tornadoes 1994 Tuggeranong Tornadoes
ACTG Junior Champions Year Team Winning coach 2025 Gungahlin Wolves Nick George 2024 Gungahlin Wolves Jason Ray 2023 Gungahlin Wolves Cameron Rogerson2022Woden Valley Gladiators Petar Stosic2021Gungahlin WolvesJason Ray 2020 University of Canberra Firebirds Laurence Marin 2019 Central Spears Tim Macarthur 2018 No competition 2017 University of Canberra Firebirds George Shipyan 2016 University of Canberra Firebirds Josh Catanzariti 2015 University of Canberra Firebirds Jason Ray 2014 University of Canberra Firebirds Jason Ray 2013 University of Canberra Firebirds Jason Ray 2012 Central Spears Tim Macarthur 2011 Centurions Alex Westcombe 2010 Centurions Peter Lilley 2009 Centurions Peter Lilley 2008 Tuggeranong Tornadoes Lyle Cameron 2007 Tuggeranong Tornadoes Lyle Cameron 2006 University of Canberra Firebirds Shawn Willis 2005 University of Canberra Firebirds Chris Czerny 2004 University of Canberra Firebirds Luke Plunkett 2003 Erindale Titans Shane Dixon 2002 No competition 2001 Tuggeranong Tornadoes Justin Watson 2000 University of Canberra Firebirds Rob Bourke 1999 University of Canberra Rockets Nathan Long 1998 No competition 1997 University of Canberra Firebirds Simon Clancy 1996 University of Canberra Firebirds Simon Clancy
Year College Division High School Division 1995 Tuggeranong Tornadoes Kambah Kestrels 1994 Weston Creek Buccaneers Tuggeranong Tornadoes 1993 Queanbeyan Eagles Weston Creek Buccaneers 1992 Tuggeranong Falcons Queanbeyan Knights
Year Team 1991 Marist Razorbacks 1990 Marist Razorbacks
Statistics