Last Updated on November 14, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Joseph Zema is an Australian professional football player who plays as a punter for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on August 10, 1994, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, he has established himself as one of the league’s accomplished punters.
Zema comes from a supportive Australian family. His parents are Nick Zema and Antonietta Zema, and he has one brother named Matthew Zema.
He is also married to Ariana Cortez, whom he met while attending the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Nicholas James, in late 2022.
Although his professional football career requires him to spend considerable time away from home, Zema has spoken publicly about the importance of his wife, son, parents, and brother.
Joseph Zema’s Wife: Ariana Cortez
Joseph Zema’s wife is Ariana Cortez, an American teacher whom he met during his college football career in Texas.
Their relationship was confirmed in a July 4, 2023, interview published by the Montreal Alouettes.
According to the team’s official website, Zema met Ariana while attending the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio in 2017.
At the time, Zema had moved from Australia to the United States to pursue an opportunity to play American football.
His relocation changed his life in more ways than one. Not only did he begin a new athletic career, but he also met the woman who would eventually become his wife.
The couple subsequently married, although their wedding date and ceremony details have not been publicly established in reliable reporting.
What Does Joseph Zema’s Wife Do?
Ariana Cortez works as a teacher in Texas, according to a November 15, 2023, report published by The Canadian Press.
Her teaching career has influenced the family’s living arrangements because Joseph spends the Canadian football season in Montreal while Ariana maintains her professional responsibilities in Texas.
During the 2023 season, Zema explained that Ariana spent June and July with him in Montreal.
For much of the remaining football season, the couple maintained their relationship long-distance.
Despite the geographical separation, the family continued supporting Joseph’s professional ambitions.
How Did Joseph Zema Meet Ariana Cortez?
Joseph Zema and Ariana Cortez met in San Antonio, Texas, in 2017.
Zema had arrived in the United States after earning an opportunity to play college football for the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals.
He had previously played Australian rules football and was adapting to the different rules and techniques of American football.
While studying and competing at Incarnate Word, he met Ariana.
According to The Canadian Press, the couple began dating approximately six years before November 2023.
Their relationship developed during the period when Zema was establishing himself as a punter in North American football.
They later married and started a family together.
Joseph Zema’s Children
Joseph Zema has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Nicholas James.
The Montreal Alouettes officially confirmed his son’s name in a July 4, 2023, feature about Zema’s journey from Melbourne to Montreal.
At the time, the publication reported that the couple had welcomed their first child approximately eight months earlier.
Joseph Zema’s Son: Nicholas James
Nicholas James is the son of Joseph Zema and Ariana Cortez.
He was born around late 2022, based on the timeline provided by the Montreal Alouettes in July 2023.
However, his exact date of birth has not been independently verified.
Nicholas was still a young child when his father helped Montreal reach the 2023 Grey Cup championship game.
In November 2023, The Canadian Press reported that Ariana and their son were traveling from Texas to Hamilton, Ontario, to support Joseph during the championship weekend.
His parents were also making the long journey from Australia to attend the game.
The occasion brought together several generations of the Zema family during one of the most important moments of Joseph’s professional career.
No reliable public reports reviewed for this profile confirm whether Joseph and Ariana have welcomed additional children since 2023.
Joseph Zema’s Parents
Joseph Zema’s Father: Nick Zema
Joseph Zema’s father is Nick Zema, whose identity is confirmed in his official University of the Incarnate Word football biography.
Nick played a particularly important role in introducing Joseph to kicking sports during childhood.
According to a July 2023 interview published by the Montreal Alouettes, Nick began teaching Joseph how to kick an Australian rules football when he was approximately three years old.
Growing up in Melbourne, Joseph initially focused on Australian rules football rather than the North American version of the sport.
The techniques he learned during childhood eventually helped him transition into professional punting.
Although Australian rules football and Canadian football use different equipment and rules, both sports require strong kicking ability, timing, and accuracy.
Nick’s early involvement therefore contributed to the development of skills that would later become important in Joseph’s professional career.
In November 2023, Nick traveled from Melbourne to Canada to watch his son compete in the Grey Cup.
According to The Canadian Press, the journey included stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto before the family reached the championship host city.
His attendance demonstrated his continuing support for Joseph’s football achievements.
Although Nick’s occupation and other personal details have not been widely documented, his influence on Joseph’s early athletic development is publicly confirmed.
Joseph Zema’s Mother: Antonietta Zema
Joseph Zema’s mother is Antonietta Zema, whose identity is confirmed in the official University of the Incarnate Word football biography.
Antonietta lived in Australia while Joseph developed his professional football career in North America.
Although the distance between Melbourne and Montreal made attending games difficult, she remained involved in important moments of her son’s career.
In November 2023, Antonietta traveled with her husband, Nick, from Australia to Canada to attend the Grey Cup championship game.
The long journey demonstrated the family’s desire to support Joseph during a major sporting occasion.
It also provided an opportunity for the family to reunite with Joseph, Ariana, and Nicholas.
Although Antonietta’s occupation, educational background, and personal history have not been extensively reported, her relationship with Joseph and her attendance at the championship are publicly documented.
Joseph Zema’s Siblings
Joseph Zema has one brother, Matthew Zema, according to his official University of the Incarnate Word football biography.
No additional siblings are identified in the university’s records.
Joseph Zema’s Brother: Matthew Zema
Matthew Zema is Joseph Zema’s brother.
His name appears in Joseph’s official 2017 football biography at the University of the Incarnate Word.
The university identified Matthew as 20 years old when the biography was published.
However, his exact date of birth has not been independently verified.
Matthew is part of the family based in Melbourne, Australia, where Joseph spent his childhood.
Unlike Joseph, Matthew does not have a widely documented professional football career in the reliable sources reviewed.
Further information about his education, occupation, romantic relationships, and personal life has not been publicly established.
Does Joseph Zema Have Sisters?
Joseph Zema’s official university biography identifies one brother, Matthew, but does not mention any sisters.
Therefore, Matthew is his only publicly documented sibling.
Joseph Zema’s Family Background and Early Life
Joseph Zema was born on August 10, 1994, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
He grew up with his parents, Nick and Antonietta Zema, and his brother, Matthew.
During childhood, he developed an interest in Australian rules football.
His father introduced him to kicking when he was three years old, helping him become familiar with the sport from an early age.
Zema attended Whitefriars College in Melbourne, graduating in 2012.
During high school, he participated in Australian rules football and cricket.
His athletic achievements earned recognition in both sports.
After graduating, Zema attended Australian Catholic University, where he completed a degree in exercise and sport science in 2015.
He initially hoped to establish a career in Australian rules football.
However, after pursuing opportunities at the semiprofessional level, he decided to explore a different sporting path.
That decision eventually took him to the United States and changed the direction of his life.
Joseph Zema’s Journey From Australia to American Football
Joseph Zema began working with ProKick Australia in 2015.
The organization helps Australian athletes develop the kicking skills necessary to compete in American college football.
Although Zema already possessed considerable experience kicking Australian rules footballs, he had to adapt to the different shape and handling characteristics of American footballs.
In 2017, he received an opportunity to join the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
His arrival in the United States marked a major turning point.
He played for the Incarnate Word Cardinals during the 2017 season, appearing in all 11 games.
Zema recorded 77 punts and averaged 46.7 yards per punt.
He also recorded a career-long 75-yard punt against Fresno State.
His outstanding performances earned him multiple honors, including first-team Associated Press FCS All-American recognition.
Beyond football, the university experience was personally important because he met his future wife, Ariana Cortez, during this period.
Joseph Zema’s Professional Football Career
San Antonio Commanders
After completing his college football career, Joseph Zema pursued opportunities in professional American football.
He participated in NFL tryouts with organizations including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets.
In 2019, he joined the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).
He appeared in eight games and recorded 37 punts, averaging 45.8 yards per attempt.
However, the league suspended operations in April 2019, ending his time with the organization.
Montreal Alouettes
Joseph Zema joined the Montreal Alouettes after the team selected him sixth overall in the 2021 CFL Global Draft.
He signed with Montreal on June 8, 2021, and earned the starting punter position during training camp.
During his rookie season, he appeared in all 14 regular-season games and recorded 90 punts with a 45.2-yard average.
His performances improved during the following seasons.
In 2023, Zema helped Montreal win the 110th Grey Cup championship against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The victory was particularly memorable because his parents traveled from Australia while his wife and son traveled from Texas to support him.
During the 2025 season, he maintained a 47.9-yard punting average and earned East Division All-CFL recognition.
On December 30, 2025, the Montreal Alouettes announced that they had extended his contract through the 2027 CFL season.
The agreement reflected his continued importance to Montreal’s special teams unit.
How Joseph Zema Balances Football and Family Life
Joseph Zema’s professional football career has created an unusual family arrangement involving three locations: Australia, Texas, and Quebec.
His parents and brother have longstanding connections to Melbourne, where he grew up.
His wife and son have lived in Texas, where Zema met Ariana during his college career.
Meanwhile, his professional responsibilities require him to spend much of the Canadian football season in Montreal.
In November 2023, Zema explained that Ariana usually spent June and July with him in Montreal before returning to Texas for her teaching responsibilities.
The family maintained contact while living apart during the remaining months of the season.
During the offseason, Zema returned to Texas to spend time with his wife and son.
Although the arrangement involved geographical challenges, he expressed appreciation for the opportunities football had created for his family.
His story illustrates how professional athletes balance demanding travel schedules with marriage, parenthood, and relationships with relatives living in different countries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joseph Zema’s Family
Who is Joseph Zema’s wife?
Joseph Zema’s wife is Ariana Cortez, an American teacher whom he met at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, in 2017.
How did Joseph Zema meet his wife?
He met Ariana while attending the University of the Incarnate Word, where he played college football during the 2017 season.
Does Joseph Zema have children?
Yes. Joseph Zema and Ariana Cortez have one publicly confirmed son named Nicholas James.
When was Joseph Zema’s son born?
Nicholas James was born around late 2022, according to a July 2023 Montreal Alouettes article. His exact birth date has not been independently verified.
Who is Joseph Zema’s father?
His father is Nick Zema, who introduced him to kicking Australian rules footballs when he was approximately three years old.
Who is Joseph Zema’s mother?
His mother is Antonietta Zema, whose identity is confirmed in the University of the Incarnate Word’s official football records.
Does Joseph Zema have siblings?
Yes. Joseph Zema has one publicly identified sibling, a brother named Matthew Zema.
Who is Joseph Zema’s brother?
His brother is Matthew Zema, who was identified in Joseph’s 2017 college football biography.
Where are Joseph Zema’s parents from?
Nick and Antonietta Zema are based in Melbourne, Australia, where Joseph was born and raised.
What does Joseph Zema’s wife do for a living?
Ariana Cortez works as a teacher in Texas, according to reporting published by The Canadian Press in November 2023.
Where does Joseph Zema live with his family?
In 2023, Zema described living in Texas during the CFL offseason while spending the football season in Montreal. His wife and son remained primarily in Texas because of Ariana’s teaching career. More recent permanent living arrangements have not been independently confirmed.
Did Joseph Zema’s parents attend the 2023 Grey Cup?
Yes. Nick and Antonietta Zema traveled from Melbourne, Australia, to Canada to support their son during the championship weekend.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
