Super Bowl ultimate guide: The unknown Australian playing key role for Seahawks
All the talk in Australia in the lead up to Monday's Super Bowl has centred around Seahawks punter Michael Dickson.
And rightly so.
Yet, there's another Australian plying his trade in Seattle with little fanfare and come Monday, he'll be as busy as any player on the field.
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Head of strength and conditioning for the Seahawks is Sydney native Danny van Dijk, who previously held the same position with Easts Rugby and was an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Waratahs, before moving to the University of Southern California.
It was there when he first connected with Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, who would then go on to be picked No.1 in the 2018 NFL draft.
Head strength coach Danny van Dijk of the Seattle Seahawks. Getty
"I played rugby growing up and loved being involved in sport," he told the Guest of Honour podcast in 2020.
"I studied my undergrad in physical education started out working as physical education teacher at the high school level.
"I always had an interest in fitness and training and then progressed to a strength and conditioning coach at high school. In Australia we don't have a collegiate level, we have academy based systems, similar to what we have in European soccer and sports."
Funnily enough, both Dickson and van Dijk started their journeys toward the NFL in academy systems in Australia.
"My initial foray into strength and conditioning was working with those academy athletes at a 16-17-year-old level then progressed to the under-20 level in Australia," he added.
"Australia has a pretty strong strength and conditioning and sport science foundation and background. There are a good amount of Aussies and Europeans in these sorts of roles in the US but I wouldn't say it's common.
Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks. Getty
"I think the progression in Australia was relatively slow. I chipped away and worked with more and more teams, higher level athletes and bigger organisations while I was there. And the move to the US came by surprise - it wasn't necessarily planned.
"I came over on a trip with friends to the States. It was a vacation but I made sure I reached out to as many organisations as I could.
"It was great that so many people were so accommodating."
Head of the NFL Academy on the Gold Coast, Will Bryce, told Wide World of Sports he caught up with van Dijk in the off-season.
"I went to Seattle last summer for a training camp. I met him there and had a good chat," Bryce said.
"Great guy, super intelligent. If you look at other teams, there are other Australians playing meaningful roles across sports science and strength and conditioning, because of how much Australia invests in that area. They're right up there in the best in the world, in my opinion."
Here's everything to know about Super Bowl 2026.
What time is the Super Bowl in Australia?
Monday February 9
NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS: 10.30am
QLD: 9.30am
SA: 10.00am
NT: 9am
WA: 7.30am
Where is the Super Bowl being played?
This year's Super Bowl takes place at the home of the San Francisco 49ers, Levi's Stadium.
Interestingly, the match itself does not take place in San Fran, with the stadium located about an hour out of town in a smaller city called Santa Clara.
This will be the second Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium. The first was in 2016, only two years after the stadium was constructed.
It holds a capacity of approximately 68,500.
Super Bowl 2026 odds
SportsBet odds correct 6pm Thursday February 5
Seattle: $1.41 | New England: $2.93
Who is playing in the 2026 halftime show?
This year's Super Bowl halftime show is headlined by Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny.
Green Day are also slated to perform before the game.
How much are Super Bowl tickets?
The cheapest upper corner tickets for this year's Super Bowl clock in at $7,654, after fees.
A ticket behind the end zone meanwhile is being listed for $30,009.
Want a suite? Well that will set you back as much as $443,318 if you're a big spender.
How much is a beer and a hot dog?
At Levi's Stadium, a standard can of beer costs just over $20. Though that is based on regular season pricing.
A hot dog meanwhile will cost you another $10.
Where will the Super Bowl be held in 2027 and beyond?
2027: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California
2028: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
2029: TBD - Las Vegas is viewed as the likely host
Who has won the most Super Bowls?
The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have both won six each.
6: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers
5: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers
4: Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants
The Patriots have also played in 11 Super Bowls – the most of any NFL team, soon to be 12.
The San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers are all tied for second with eight appearances each.
Will any Australians be playing in this year's Super Bowl?
Yes, Seattle punter Michael Dickson is Australian.
He was born in Sydney and became an NFL punter after playing Aussie Rules in the NEAFL.
