Dozens of promising teenagers around New Zealand eagerly aspire to emulate the successes of reigning World Singles Champion Shannon McIlroy or the feats of world number one Jo Edwards, while plenty dream of one day wearing the silver fern at the prestigious Commonwealth Games.

Former Spotswood College student Aidan Zittersteijn has a big future in the sport, claiming a Commonwealth bronze medal for his grandfather's origin nation, the Cook Islands.

For many, that’s as far as the thought goes, but for one 18-year-old Taranaki lad, this dream unexpectedly became a reality last month - albeit representing the minnow nation of the Cook Islands - a country Aidan Zittersteijn qualified for selection through his Grandfather’s origins hailing back to the humble island of Rarotonga.

Zittersteijn, a former Spotswood College student in New Plymouth, had to pinch himself several months ago when asked if he would be interested in pulling on the island colours of the Cooks - lining up alongside the promising Taiki Paniani to take on the Men’s Pairs discipline on the Gold Coast opposite some of the world’s greatest exponents of the game including Scottish duo Alex Marshall and Paul Foster.

Without too much thought, Zittersteijn, who comes from a line of bowling stardom with his father John a former New Zealand indoor bowls representative, jumped at the chance and the rest, as they say, is history.

A special moment for Aidan and Taiki, as they stand pride of place next to some of the world's heavyweights in Scotland duo Alex Marshall and Paul Foster, far left, and Gold medalists Marc Wyatt and Daniel Salmon.

In a remarkable effort, skipper Paniani,(21), and Zittersteijn shook of pre-tournament nerves to display talent and maturity beyond their years as they not only qualified for post-section, but won their way through to take on eventual Gold medallists Wales in a semi-final match-up, after dispatching a strong South African duo in the quarter-finals.

A spirited effort saw the Welsh pairing of Marc Wyatt and Daniel Salmon edge ahead, though their promising campaign earnt Zittersteijn and Paniani a shot at a Bronze medal - an opportunity to saviour as the cameras rolled and the Commonwealth watched on.

Standing in their way was the slick Malta pairing of Australian-based Brendan Aquilina and partner Shaun Parnis , a fearful prospect given Aquilina recently finished third-equal in the World Cup Indoor Singles at his home club of Warilla, and had earlier accounted for reigning World Pairs’ champions and host nation pairing of Aaron Wilson and Brett Wilkie in a last-eight showdown.

Taranaki teenager Aidan Zittersteijn, left, and Taiki Paniani completed a history making run in the 2018 Commonwealth Games's men's pairs, claiming bronze and securing the Cook Island's their first ever medal in Games' history.

Not to be overawed, Zittersteijn and Paniani, who had seldomly met prior to the event, demonstrated their intentions early on to collect a five-count on the opening end - a lead they never relinquished as they took the match 17-11 - claiming the first ever medal for the Cook Islands, not only for lawn bowls, but in any sport since the inception of the Commonwealth Games in 1930.

Zittersteijn, speaking shortly after a scheduled tribute parade in Rarotonga, said the experience was one he would never forget and summed the moment up as being “simply speechless”.

“It felt like an amazing thing that we have done for our country . . . seeing the flag go up on the pole for the first time, (to be honest) I was speechless,” he said.

“Getting off that plane and seeing people there to congratulate us was just amazing and it was great to see all the support from around the Island . . . both Taiki and I are hoping our achievement will help to inspire the younger generation to take up the sport.”

Outside of bowls, Zittersteijn will often be seen working at the Locals Cafe in New Plymouth - employers he says have been highly supportive of his bowling endeavours - and is gearing up for another busy season on the mats for indoor - hoping to build on his U18 singles title and coveted Welch Trophy, won with the powerhouse side of North Taranaki.

And if his history making exploits in the Gold Coast are any measure of what’s to come, Zittersteijn, who has previously plied his trade in the New Zealand youth competitions, is open to suggestions that one day he could go on to perform as a Blackjack - but understandably is hesitant to commit, as his sights are set firmly on rejoining the Cooks’ team at Birmingham 2022.

Though, with a bronze medal draped around his neck and a spine-tingling welcome home ceremony in Rarotonga etched in his memory, it’s fair to say Zittersteijn and Paniani’s efforts are rightfully going to go down in the Cook Island’s folklore for many generations to come as the youthful pairing have likely moved as close to royalty as perhaps they will ever get.

“It’s a moment I will truly never forget,” Zittersteijn beamed.