{"id":331097,"date":"2026-08-27T16:24:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T16:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/331097\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T16:24:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T16:24:58","slug":"from-melbourne-to-brooklyn-catherine-zim-zimmerman-makes-the-most-of-the-journey-the-womens-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/331097\/","title":{"rendered":"From Melbourne to Brooklyn, Catherine \u201cZim\u201d Zimmerman Makes the Most of the Journey | The Women\u2019s Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Women\u2019s Game\u00a0is an exclusive editorial series written by writer, broadcaster, and former college and pro soccer player\u00a0Renee Washington<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0BrooklynFootballClub.com<\/a>. Each week, Renee goes behind the scenes with Brooklyn FC Women, giving unique insights into the squad and sharing stories of the people behind the crest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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When Brooklyn FC Women forward Catherine \u201cZim\u201d Zimmerman<\/a> first went to Australia in 2018 to play professional soccer, she wasn\u2019t planning on making Melbourne home for seven years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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After all, she was fully integrated into the American soccer ecosystem. Growing up, she had excelled at the youth and high school levels in Morris County, New Jersey, followed by an accomplished NCAA career at Providence College. She then started to get some looks at the professional level with Sky Blue FC (precursor to Gotham FC).\u00a0<\/p>\n

But when an injury derailed that upward trajectory, she took a chance on a move to the other side of the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And then life happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t plan on spending so much time in Melbourne, but I fell in love with the city,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was just a fun and beautiful place to live. The work-life balance and overall lifestyle was just really nice. But mainly I met so many great people who became my best friends that I couldn\u2019t imagine my life without them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those seven years became one of the defining chapters of Zimmerman\u2019s career. After first featuring for lower league club Calder United for a season, she spent three seasons with A-League Women powerhouse Melbourne Victory and two seasons with Western United.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She saw her greatest success with Victory, whom she helped capture back-to-back A-League Women Championships in 2021 and 2022. She even scored in the 2022 Grand Final, a 2-1 win over rivals Sydney FC.<\/p>\n

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When Zimmerman recalls those championship\u00a0 seasons, the memories don\u2019t start with trophies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember my teammates from both seasons the most,\u201d she says. \u201cWe were the underdogs both years, but we were all so bought-in and had a belief about us that even when we were down we could still beat anyone. I learned that our bond off the field meant everything and meant the difference on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inspired by a Legend<\/p>\n

Long before Zimmerman began her own professional career, she was inspired by one of the game\u2019s most accomplished players: Mia Hamm.<\/p>\n

The legendary No. 9 for the U.S. Women\u2019s National Team is considered one of the best women\u2019s players ever. In the 1990s and early 2000s, she won the World Cup twice, earned two Olympic Gold medals, and was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

\u201cMia Hamm was an icon for my generation,\u201d Zimmerman says. \u201cShe paved the way for female soccer players and gave us something to dream about. My mom met her at the airport once and got her autograph for me. She wrote \u2018Dream Big\u2019 next to her name, so she\u2019s just always been an inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n

That inspiration followed Zimmerman onto the field. At different points throughout her career, she has worn the number 9 in honor of Hamm. Currently, for Brooklyn FC, she wears the number 19, the number Hamm wore in college.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Life Beyond the Pitch<\/p>\n

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After choosing her own adventure and finding herself feeling at home Down Under, Zimmerman clearly embraces life off the field. Her interests extend well beyond soccer. She plays piano, longboards, loves traveling and says she might even be a flight attendant if she weren\u2019t playing professionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess the sense of adventure comes from trying to make the most out of each day,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen I\u2019m away from soccer sometimes I like to do any type of activity. And sometimes I want to do nothing but sit on the couch and watch a show or spend time with family\/friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, Zim is channeling her adventurous nature into her second season with Brooklyn FC. She has become a vital part of the ongoing evolution of the squad under new leadership.<\/p>\n

\u201cZim is one of those players you love to have in your squad,\u201d BKFC Women General Manager Samantha Johnson says. \u201cShe brings positive energy and a relentlessness that I really love. She\u2019s a top person.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nDID YOU KNOW?<\/p>\n

During the offseason, Zimmermen worked at Newark Liberty International Airport helping coordinate FIFA World Cup 2026 VIP arrivals and departures.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want the World Cup to end because I wanted to keep working there,\u201d she says. \u201cI really enjoyed the experience. It was fun to play a very small role in such a huge event.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Up Next for Brooklyn FC Women<\/p>\n

The new-look Brooklyn FC Women, coming off of two consecutive losses to open the season, are on the road this week, looking to build chemistry and momentum.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be improvements,\u201d Head Coach Alex Smith says. \u201cWe are getting players back and new players in. We all want to put in a performance that our supporters can be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooklyn FC Women play at Fort Lauderdale United FC on Friday. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM. Fans can stream the match live on Peacock.<\/p>\n

BKFC Women return home on Sunday, September 13, to take on Sporting JAX. Kick off is at 3:00 PM. The club will celebrate women leaders in the community as part of its \u201cWomen Run the World\u201d campaign. Tickets are available via SeatGeek<\/a>. <\/p>\n