I know it's been speculated in this thread before amongst other theories but I am pretty convinced that this is mostly a citizenship application-fueled situation. The timing would make sense as he's been here (presumably as a resident through a work visa) for 5 years, which makes him eligible to apply.
Aside from the residency requirements, there is the expectation that you can demonstrate that you intend on staying in NZ and that you have "built a life here" which his academy would go a long way towards proving. The Nix could also help by issuing a letter of support but this obviously requires that he is an employee of the club (hence his long-ish extension if they knew back then that this was the plan?)
On top of that there is the presence requirement which he might not meet after the Wollongong saga. However, this is somewhat discretionary and - considering that he would have been initially contracted as a NZ-based player - his case manager might have decided that as long as he stays here until the final decision it's all good. Might explain why he hasn't been travelling to Australia for away games at all.
It may also explain why the club haven't really said much about the situation at all. I don't imagine they would put out a statement saying "oh, we're just working through some issues Bally is experiencing cause he's a nice guy and we want to hook him up with citizenship" even if that was exactly what they were doing. Maybe they know he's not up to scratch football-wise but they see the value in having him around as a mentor kind of figure. Maybe having him take up a visa slot at the moment is not ideal but being gracious in supporting his application would solve that problem.
It really looks like Ball and his family are quite settled and happy with life in NZ and that they'd be keen to stick around regardless of what is happening with his football career. This is not to say he wouldn't leave in January but I think that would depend a lot on the outcome of his application. It's possible his plan is to become a kiwi, go elsewhere for a couple of years to finish off his playing career and come back here to his academy?
Aside from the residency requirements, there is the expectation that you can demonstrate that you intend on staying in NZ and that you have "built a life here" which his academy would go a long way towards proving. The Nix could also help by issuing a letter of support but this obviously requires that he is an employee of the club (hence his long-ish extension if they knew back then that this was the plan?)
On top of that there is the presence requirement which he might not meet after the Wollongong saga. However, this is somewhat discretionary and - considering that he would have been initially contracted as a NZ-based player - his case manager might have decided that as long as he stays here until the final decision it's all good. Might explain why he hasn't been travelling to Australia for away games at all.
It may also explain why the club haven't really said much about the situation at all. I don't imagine they would put out a statement saying "oh, we're just working through some issues Bally is experiencing cause he's a nice guy and we want to hook him up with citizenship" even if that was exactly what they were doing. Maybe they know he's not up to scratch football-wise but they see the value in having him around as a mentor kind of figure. Maybe having him take up a visa slot at the moment is not ideal but being gracious in supporting his application would solve that problem.
It really looks like Ball and his family are quite settled and happy with life in NZ and that they'd be keen to stick around regardless of what is happening with his football career. This is not to say he wouldn't leave in January but I think that would depend a lot on the outcome of his application. It's possible his plan is to become a kiwi, go elsewhere for a couple of years to finish off his playing career and come back here to his academy?