IT WAS only fitting that Murray Rogers, a man who devoted his teaching life to improving the sports skills of school kids across the district, was farewelled with a high five or two.

Mr Rogers was given a guard of honour at Ipswich Central State School on Thursday afternoon, as he officially ended a career spanning 33 years.

In that time he taught at half a dozen Ipswich schools, including Bundamba, Dinmore, Blackstone, Tivoli and Ipswich West - along with the school where he finished up.

He was a phys-ed teacher for 30 years and a deputy principal for the last three years, taking on the role of organising regional trials for state championships in all sports.

Mr Rogers' passion for sport could be traced back all the way to what he did before he landed his first job. After finishing university in 1979 and not being able to find work, he ended up playing cricket in Lancashire, England, where West Indies legend Rohan Kanhai was playing out his twilight years.

That experience helped Mr Rogers land a role as cricket coach and swimming co-ordinator at his first posting, Yeronga State School, in 1981.

"Just seeing the obvious enjoyment that kids get from participation in school sport is what made it worthwhile," he said.

Centrals honoured their departing hero by naming their sports oval, "Murray Rogers Field".

The onset of retirement won't mean that Mr Rogers will be leaving his days of physical activity behind. He plans to catch up on some of his favourite hobbies, including fishing and surfing, in the coming years.