In the ACT Gridiron Leagues debut year, 1993, the first Capital Bowl was played between the Tidbinbilla Space Cadets and the Belconnen Thunderbolts, with the Space Cadets claiming victory in triple overtime.

In 1994 the tables were turned somewhat with the Thunderbolts able to end the Space Cadets season in the elimination semi-final, qualifying the Belconnen Thunderbolts to fill a birth in Capital Bowl II against the Canberra University Firebirds, who had played an undefeated season. Unfortunately the Thunderbolts were handed a very convincing thrashing by the Firebirds to the tune of 20 points.

Prior to the ACTGL's 1995 season, at a meeting of the league, both the Tidbinbilla Space Cadets and the Belconnen Thunderbolts were suffering from a lack of both finances and players. The likely outcome of this situation was to be that neither team would be in a position to field a side for that year. Chris Dingle, of the Space Cadets, and Steve Hoppitt, of the Thunderbolts, put their heads together and it was proposed and agreed that a single combined team, yet to be named, would take the field for season 1995. Not too bad an idea considering that these were two teams which could only be described as serious enemies, and in fact that 1994 elimination semi-final had been called off with around ten minutes remaining of the fourth quarter due to a lack of players following an all-in brawl.

With two weeks before the commencement of the 1995 season the two teams came together under one set of team colours for the first time, with amazing results. Everyone survived that first training session.

Roger Vann was taken on as Senior Coach and Chris Dingle accepted the task of Club Manager. The first five games of the season fulfilled the predictions of the league and other teams with the Tigers rocketing to five straight losses, but hope was present as four of those five were only lost in the final minute or two of the fourth quarter. Stamina was our problem.

What a turnaround! The Canberra Tigers created history by winning Six games straight to become the 1995 ACT Gridiron League Champions 14 - 13 over the Queanbeyan Wolverines.

The Tigers have not been quite so fortunate in the three seasons since.

Although the Tigers played in Capital Bowls in 1996 and 1998 we have failed to take the championship in those years, and going out in the 1997 elimination semi-final.

That brings us to 1999. Confidence was high for a big year with two players, and possibly more, from that 1995 Championship side returning.

Rob Warke, who had been off the playing field with knee problems for two years,  returned to once again join up with long time "O" line partner Steve"Quasi"Hoppitt, who came out of retirement after only one year out of the game. Bruce Tobin was another to return and after their time off these guys were hungry for a big season.

They, along with the rest of the Canberra Tigers organisation, were rewarded with a win in Capital Bowl VII after defeating triple champions, the Tuggeranong Tornadoes, 25 - 8.